Athletes submit recommendation paper to political parties

Kathmandu: Around 36 athletes have submitted the recommendation paper to political parties, which are preparing to make their election manifestos public. 

To ensure that their agendas are included in these manifestos, athletes submitted recommendation letters to various political parties amid politicians busy with the upcoming House of Representatives election, scheduled for March 5. 

The document primarily emphasizes fundamental sports rights; sports as a sustainable foundation for tourism; healthy citizens for a prosperous Nepal, with sports promoted from the community and school levels; investment, employment, and national pride through sports; strengthening athletes, technical personnel, and sports institutions; women’s empowerment; as well as disability-friendly and veteran sports.

According to a press release issued by the Alpine Sports Federation - Nepal, the document also includes proposals for potential sports activities across the Himalayan, hilly, and Terai regions, amendments to sports policies and laws, and overall reform of sports administration.

According to the athletes’ shared understanding, sports are a vital sector that carries national identity and strengthens national unity, and therefore should be placed among the state’s top priorities. They stressed that sports can be developed commercially by linking them with culture and tourism, and that establishing such provisions at the policy level is an urgent need.

The recommendation letter was submitted to Gagan Kumar Thapa, President of the Nepali Congress; Dr. Bhishma Adhikari, Central Office Secretary of the CPN-UML; D.P. Aryal, Vice President of the Rastriya Swatantra Party; Rajendra Gurung, General Secretary of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party; and Jagannath Khatriwad, leader of the Nepali Communist Party. 

While receiving the recommendations, the leaders expressed their commitment to give high priority to sports—considered the backbone of modern society and the nation—and to include it in their party manifestos.