Confusion reigns over Nepal's Asian Games participation

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, July 2: Confusion struck Nepali sports on Tuesday as both the Ministry for Youth and Sports and the Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC) claimed to have submitted lists of sports for the 20th Asian Games to be held in Japan from September 19 to October 4 in 2026.

The Ministry issued a statement, asserting it had officially registered 31 sports. "The official list of sports for the Asian Games was submitted to the concerned body on June 30 in accordance with the rules," the statement read. June 30 was the deadline for sports registration for the 2026 Asian Games.

Conversely, the NOC held a press conference, stating it had formally submitted a list of 30 sports for the Asiad.

The Ministry had previously declared the NOC, led by Jeevan Ram Shrestha, illegitimate. This was due to alleged violations of sports law and a Supreme Court order. "Since the Nepal government has already declared the NOC illegal and suspended its activities, the misuse of its letterhead and seal bears no legal validity," the Ministry's statement read. "The Ministry and the NSC will not recognise actions from NOC."

Youth and Sports Minister Tejulal Chaudhary, who also chairs the NSC, has expressed serious concern over the conflicting claims, read the Ministry's statement. 

The Ministry claimed to have registered the following sports: Athletics, Boxing, Cricket, Taekwondo, Kabaddi, Karate, E-Sports, Wushu, Gymnastics, Swimming, Judo, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Cycling, Equestrian, Football, Fencing, Golf, Shooting, Tennis, Triathlon, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Basketball, Badminton, Hockey, Soft Tennis, Handball, Squash, Rugby, and Rowing.

On the other hand, NOC President Jeevan Ram stated at his press conference that only the Nepal Olympic Committee has the authority to register players and manage participation in the Asian Games and other international competitions. He emphasized that the NOC operates under the International Olympic Committee (IOC) charter and urged the government to acknowledge this.

Though the NOC's legal status in Nepal is under judicial review, the NOC led by Jeevan Ram is recognized by both the IOC and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). According to the IOC Charter, only a nationally recognized NOC can facilitate a country's participation in Olympic-framework sporting events.

The NOC's submitted list included: Athletics, Archery, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Breaking and Dance Sports, Baseball and Softball, Rafting and Canoeing, Kurash, Cricket, Cycling, E-sports, Golf, Hockey, Judo, Kabaddi, Karate, Modern Pentathlon, Rugby, Skateboard and Skating, Sports Climbing, Squash, Soft Tennis, Swimming, Tennis, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Weightlifting, Wrestling, and Wushu.