State should invest more in sports: Former President Bhandari

Dhanusha- Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has viewed in adequate sports infrastructures and skimpy investment from State on athletes is worrying matter in the country. Lauding the performance of Nepali athletes in international arena despite little investment in sports sectors, she pointed out the need of boosting investment for developing sports. During the inaugural of the first Madan Bhandari National Women Hockey Championship begun in the playground of Kshireshwor Janata Higher Secondary School of Mahendranagar on Monday, the former President hoped the national women hockey championship would play a significant role in women empowerment by ending gender-based discrimination.

She underscored that the sports has a significant role to make the country prosperous by strengthening mutual harmony, tolerance and national unity. Sharing that it was necessary to maintain discipline in sports, former President Bhandari reminded that the late leader Madan Bhandari had the belief that leadership should be developed through a clean political competition, which is still relevant. It can be replicated in sports sector as well, he suggested. Similarly, Secretary of CPN UML, Raghubir Mahaseth, said performance of athletes is appreciable despite scant investment of state in this sector. Chairperson of Hockey Association Nepal, Anil Prasad Sharma, expressed the view that the first hockey championship for women in the national-level was going to be organised to foster sports environment.

A total of 150 athletes in eight teams have been participating in the championship. The championship will run till March 2. The winner team would get Rs 150,000 and the cup, while first runner-up Rs 100,000 and cup and second winner team Rs 50,000 and cup. Likewise, best player would receive Rs 10,000 and 'Woman of the match' Rs 5,000. Meanwhile, former President Bhandari performed a worship at Dhanusha Temple of Dhanusha on Monday itself. Priest of the temple, Bharat Das, briefed the former President about the importance of the Temple.

Source: RSS