KATHMANDU: President Ramchandra Paudel has said that there is a close relationship between education and sports.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 15th President’s Running Shield Sports Tournament at Dasharath Stadium earlier today, he said that the knowledge, awareness and intelligence from education and the discipline, practice and enthusiasm from sports can contribute to producing youths capable and strong of becoming a strong force for nation building.
“Sports are a must for the physical, mental and all-round personality development of children and youth, while villages and schools serve as the production house of athletes,” he said. Therefore, the attraction towards sports should be increased by increasing sports infrastructure, equipment, better coaches and competition opportunities at the local level.
President Paudel also stated that there is ample potential for sports tourism in Nepal and hence the state should consider contributing to it by considering the attraction towards adventure sports that are based on unique geographical features. Furthermore, if Nepal’s traditional sports could be refined, developed and expanded and included in international sports competitions it could bring honor and prestige to the country while our athletes could excel in those sports..
Stating that sports are an easy way to introduce the country to the world, he said that the enthusiastic results shown by Nepal in recent times at the international level in sports such as cricket and paralympics are a matter of pride for the country.
Paudel also pointed out to the lack of infrastructure, practice, coaches, facilities and international training and exposure as a challenge to the country’s sports sector.
Also speaking at the event, Minister for Youth and Sports Tejulal Chaudhary said that the sports mega event would help produce athletes while providing an opportunity to students to showcase their sporting talent.
The 15th President’s Running Shield competition, which began today, will last for three days. A total of six sports including volleyball, athletics, kabaddi, taekwondo, wushu and karate are featured in the event.
