NTA had selected Manita Shahi (women´s 57kg), Ayasha Shakya (women´s 49 kg), Aashish Maharjan (men´s 68 kg) and Ranjan Shrestha (men´s 58 kg) on May 27 to participate in the World Qualification scheduled to be held in Azerbaijan from June 30 to July 3.[break]
According to NTA President Prakash Rana, NTA had asked for Rs 1 million for the participation from the government two months ago through National Sports Council and Youth and Sports Ministry. However, the ministry had sanctioned Rs 500,000 only.
“We have to send four players, a coach and a team leader and what the ministry has given us is inadequate. We were forced to take the harsh decision,” said Rana.
“Even if the ministry had promised to pay the remaining amount later, we could have sent the players. But the ministry said that we´ll get nothing more than Rs 500,000,” added Rana.
Selected player Shakya said that it was a sad news that players lost an opportunity to experience a tough tournament. “Players seldom get opportunity to play such tournament and it´s sad that we are deprived of the opportunity,” said Shakya. “We have no option but to lament on the lost chance as we belong to a poor country,” added Shakya.
Now, Nepali taekwondo players have only one opportunity to qualify for the London Olympics and that is Asian Qualification scheduled to be held in Bangkok on November 4 to 6.
“We´ll now focus on Asian Qualification and spend Rs 500,000 sanctioned by the ministry to participate in the Asian Qualification,” said Rana.
Rana informed there would be fresh selections for participation in the Asian Qualification.
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