The government had been preparing to achieve the set target by launching the ‘Mission-26’ campaign from Magh 2080. However, Nepal could not meet the expected goal and returned with only two bronze medals. Kathmandu, 19 Ashoj — Nepal had anticipated winning a double-digit medal count including gold at the 20th Asian Games (Asiad). The government initiated the ‘Mission-26’ campaign from Magh 2080 to meet these objectives. Yet, Nepal’s performance fell short, limiting its medal tally to just two bronze medals.
Competing in 21 sports with 135 athletes, Nepal secured medals only in two events: karate and women’s kabaddi. Karateka Tenzing Sherpa and the women’s kabaddi team brought home the medals. The women’s kabaddi team continued their streak by winning another bronze following their success at the 19th Asiad, while Tenzing Sherpa earned Nepal’s first-ever bronze medal in karate. However, Erica Gurung, who had previously won a silver medal in karate at the 19th Asiad, went home without a medal this time.
Nepal was unsuccessful in other sports where medals were anticipated. It has been 75 years since Nepal last won a gold medal at the Asiad. The country has accumulated three silver and 25 bronze medals in that period. In Nepal, simply participating is often considered an achievement rather than winning medals. The most significant issue evident from Nepal’s performance is the state of preparation. Despite the government’s goal to secure double-digit medals, budget constraints severely hampered training, affecting athletes’ preparation over nearly four months. For major competitions, long-term planning, regular training, and adequate financing are essential. However, Nepal’s tendency is to intensify preparation only as competitions approach.
Even up to the last moment, athletes lacked sufficient sports equipment and nutrition. Proper training alone is insufficient for optimal performance; international experience is also crucial. For many athletes, this Asian Games was their first international competition. The Indian women’s kabaddi team prepared within India and even played practice matches against Iran. Ultimately, India defeated Iran in the finals, securing the gold medal in women’s kabaddi. The Nepalese women’s kabaddi team also conducted training camps in India, playing practice matches against local state and club teams. Despite meeting India in the semifinals, Nepal was limited to the bronze medal. The lack of experience and inability to compete against stronger nations highlighted a considerable gap in Nepal’s preparation compared to medal-contending countries.
Regular competition against strong nations is essential for international success. Performing well with only short-term practice before competitions is insufficient, as the Asiad experience has demonstrated. For the 20th Asian Games, athletes were not systematically selected on time from grassroots levels in most sports. Instead, teams were prepared based only on available players, repeating past patterns. Had selections been made according to national sports standards, the best athletes could have been chosen, resulting in better preparation. National competitions serve as the foundation for athlete selection and competition readiness. Therefore, delays in national sports events directly impacted Nepal’s international preparations.
Nepal now needs strategies to reach the podium, not just participate, in competitions like the Asiad. Rather than investing heavily in low-potential sports, it is essential to identify sports with medal prospects and allocate sufficient budget, training, and international exposure accordingly. Clear decisions are also necessary regarding which sports to participate in and which to avoid. Successful sporting nations invest in athletes from a young age. Talent identification, grassroots-level training, regular competitions, and long-term planning cultivate players. Nepal’s systems in these areas remain weak. Strengthening governmental and sports federation efforts in early talent spotting and ongoing training and opportunity provision is vital.
Much of Nepal’s sporting achievements have been driven by individual athletes’ efforts and struggles. However, individual commitment alone cannot secure international medals consistently over the long term. Sustained government investment and strong institutional frameworks are indispensable for achieving such goals.
Another challenge for Nepal is weak coordination between the government and sports federations. The government must effectively monitor which federations are responsible for what, track athletes’ performances, assess necessary funding, and oversee preparation progress. Misunderstandings have even led to medal-contending teams being excluded from participation at this Asiad. Improvements in athlete preparation and access to facilities for international competitions are urgently needed. At the same time, while government officials receive daily allowances during foreign visits, athletes at the Asiad had to manage their meals, accommodation, and training with minimal daily stipends. Proper management of food, lodging, training, and medical treatment for medal-contending athletes must be prioritized.
From athlete selection and grassroots development to national competitions and international experience, all elements should be integrated under a single plan. Leveraging advanced technology to make athlete training more effective is also imperative.
