E-Kantipur

KATHMANDU, NOV 05 -

If one turns back the pages of Nepal’s history in international sports meet, karate is one of the those few disciplines that has given the country something to cheer about. The 11th South Asian Games (SAG) in Dhaka is the latest instance that shows how much the country relies on the discipline. Of the seven gold medals Nepal won in the meet, three of them were fetched by karatekas.

Therefore, karate will once again have the hopes of the entire nation pinned on them when the Nepali contingent lands in China for the 16th Asian Games (Asiad). On Thursday an evelen-member team left for Thailand for a 16-day training session before heading to Guangzhou.

One of the favourites of the pack, Binod Shakya, who is also a SAG gold medallist, said he wanted to end the 12-year medal drought in Asiad. “I will be back with a medal,” said Shakya confidently. “This time we will not come empty-handed.”

It was in 1998 that Nepal karate team won their last medal in the Asiad. Samar Bahadhur Gole had returned home with a bronze from Bangkok in the 13th edition. Before that Sita Rai had broken the duck winning a bronze medal in the 12th Asian Games in Hiroshima in 1994.

Another medal hopeful, Ganga Adhikari, gold medallist in Dhaka, is one of the very few Nepali athletes who feels indebted to the Government. Winning a medal in the games is the only way she can pay back the dues.

“The government has invested in us. Therefore I must do my best to make the investment worthwhile.”

For another participant, Bindo Maharjan, the Asiad is a chance to amend the mistakes he made in Dhaka. Maharjan had to settle for a silver medal owing to a petty mistake in the final bout. “I must win a medal for the country. My little mistake cost me dear in Dhaka, but this time I am not going to do same,” he said

Rabindra Dahal is a new member in the squad at the expense of Sunil Lama, another SAG member. He (Dahal) is well aware of the challenges he will face in China but he is confident he will make the best of his first outing.

The entire squad is destined to make things right in China. Nepali coach Rajendra Kapali and Deepak Shrestha, who have been receiving assistance from Japanese volunteer Nwanmi Kundo, are confident they will be able to bring home something from the games by competing against power-houses Japan, Iran, Malaysia and South Korea, among others.

KARATE TEAM

Male players

Binod Shakya (75 kg)

Binod Maharjan (60 kg)

Kushal Shrestha (67 kg)

Rabindra Dahal. (55 kg)

Women players

Ganga Adhikari (61 kg)

Tara Gurung (67 kg)

Roji Nagarkoti (55 kg)

Kalpana Basnet (50 kg)

 

Posted on: 2010-11-05 10:05

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