The Pradhan-led NOC had invited Minister Roka for an interaction and briefing on Olympic Movement but the minister didn´t attend the function.[break]
"She had agreed to attend the function but cancelled it at the last moment," said Pradhan. "We were later informed that she was busy in a meeting with National Sports Council (NSC) Member Secretary Yuvaraj Lama," he added.
The NOC has been seeking national recognition after the October 4 verdict of the Supreme Court that authorized the Rukma Shamsher Rana-led NOC to run NOC´s bank account.
"The minister´s office had received the invitation from Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan. The minister was busy in internal meetings this morning (Thursday). Meanwhile, the minister´s office discussed the invitation and suggested her not to attend the function organized by a body that has been embroiled in controversy," said Dilip Roka, personal assistant of minister Roka. "The minister is serious about ending the controversy as soon as possible," he added.
"We had requested her to attend the function only to explain the complex nature of the issue and to make her understand the importance of international affiliation," said Pradhan.
After Minister Roka didn´t attend the function, NOC officials briefed the representatives of member associations only.
"We respect the court verdict but if we shun international recognition, Nepali sports will deprived of international participation," said Pradhan.
During the function, he also claimed that the national games should be organized by the NOC in association with government agencies as the Olympic Games, Asian Games and South Asian Games are respectively organized by the International Olympic Committee, Olympic Council of Asia and South Asian Olympic Committee.
Jeevan Ram Shrestha, generel secretary of the NOC, lauded NSC for conducting training for the South Asian Games.
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