Education and Sports Minister Sasmita Pokharel has urged athletes undergoing closed training for the 20th Asian Games to consistently strive for excellence. Minister Pokharel emphasized the need for long-term investment to advance the sports sector and announced that the 10th National Sports Competition will be held this year.
Minister Pokharel visited Pashupati Boutique in the Gausala area to interact with athletes training in a closed camp. The athletes preparing for the Asian Games are accommodated at Pashupati and Royal Boutique in Sinamangal. She assessed the athletes’ readiness and addressed the challenges they face.
The minister highlighted that neither education nor sports yield immediate results, stressing the necessity of sustained investment in both fields. She expressed her commitment to resolving issues faced by the sports sector and athletes. Tennis player Pradeep Khadka praised the sports minister’s visit, expressing pride in participating in the national team’s closed training camp.
Asian Games silver medalist Erica Gurung remarked that the preparation under the “Mission–2026” initiative has greatly benefited the athletes. Volleyball head coach Jagdish Bhatt noted that skilled athletes can be developed through excellent coaching. The event was also attended by Vice President of the National Sports Council, Vishal Shrestha, Chief Advisor to the Education and Sports Minister, Siddhi Byanjankar, Advisor Raju Singh, and RAHEP Executive Committee member Sikka Suwal Shrestha.
