Editorial: Striving for glory

Nepal was recognized by the International Olympics Committee in 1963 and made its Olympic debut at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. The Olympics serve as a platform for Nepal to showcase its sporting talent on a global stage. However, in these six decades, Nepal’s performance has been subpar, with the country yet to win an Olympic medal, reflecting the challenges faced by its athletes.

In the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024, six out of the seven Nepali players have already exited without any medals. Badminton player Prince Dahal, table tennis player Santoo Shrestha, shooter Sushmita Nepal, judoka Manita Shrestha Pradhan, and swimmers Duwana Lama and Alexander Shah have all lost their matches and exited from the competition. Santoshi Shrestha remains in Paris to compete in the marathon, scheduled for Aug 11. Let’s hope she can achieve something for the country.

Though Nepali players didn’t show significant performance in the 2024 Olympics, swimmer Shah set a new national record in the men’s 100 meters freestyle. He improved his own record of 52.17 seconds by completing the distance in 51.91 seconds.

However, our poor performances throughout these decades are not due to the players but rather the stakeholders. 

Nepal lacks world-class training facilities, which hampers the preparation of athletes. Talent identification programs and scouting are essential to find and nurture young athletes. Both government and private sector support are crucial for the development of sports in Nepal but to no avail. Moreover, there is no situation in Nepal where players can sustain themselves by just playing sports. Unless these issues are addressed, there is no way our sporting situation on the world stage will improve.

A significant increase in investment in sports infrastructure and training programs is essential. Such investments will provide athletes with the necessary facilities and resources to hone their skills and compete at an international level. With proper support and development, including access to world-class coaching and competitive opportunities, Nepal can aspire not only to participate but to achieve its dream of winning an Olympic medal in the future.

Despite these challenges, Nepali players are doing everything on their own. Nepal has potential in sports like taekwondo, boxing and athletics, where there has been some success in the Asian Games and other regional competitions. Grassroots development programs can help identify and train young talent, ensuring a steady pipeline of athletes.