A Year in Review: The Mixed Fortunes of Nepali Sports in 2082

The year 2082 was a mixed bag for Nepali sports in terms of achievements. Throughout the year, Nepal participated in various international competitions, ranging from world-class events to regional tournaments, where Nepali athletes successfully secured several international medals. Various domestic sporting events also kept the sports sector active.

While there were notable efforts to professionalize sports this year, regular activities were hindered by incidents such as the lockdown of the Nepal Olympic Committee and the suspension of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA).

• Athletes as Lawmakers

Towards the end of 2082, the Nepali sports world saw two of its members enter the Federal Parliament. Dr. Achyutam Lamichhane, elected from Nuwakot Constituency No. 2, is a former taekwondo athlete and a sports science PhD holder from South Korea who has served as an expert at the National Sports Council. Rajani Shrestha, a silver medalist at the 15th World Bodybuilding Championship in 2024, was also elected as a proportional representative MP. Having won gold at the 55th Asian Bodybuilding Championship in 2023, her presence, along with Dr. Lamichhane's, is expected to make it easier to raise sports-related issues in Parliament.

• Cricket's Remarkable Run

Despite hundreds of sports associations under the National Sports Council, cricket has surged ahead in recent years. The year 2082 was exceptionally busy for Nepali cricketers, with their third appearance in the 'T20' World Cup being a major highlight. Although Nepal did not achieve a favorable overall result, the team showed competitive spirit.

Individual performances were stellar. After being eliminated from the tournament, the team defeated Scotland by seven wickets, lifting the spirits of fans. Dipendra Singh Airee's explosive batting earned him the first 'Man of the Match' award for Nepal in a World Cup. Earlier, the team gave a tough challenge to England, losing by only four runs. Furthermore, Nepal's T20 series victory against the West Indies in Sharjah, UAE, was a significant milestone.

• Earning Millions

The second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) saw the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) earn over Rs. 473.6 million, reflecting the growing popularity of cricket. The tournament featured both domestic and international players, with franchises backed by private sector investment. This professional model is now being emulated in football, volleyball, and kabaddi, which could help curb the exodus of athletes seeking employment abroad.

• Infrastructure Readiness

The upgrade of the Kirtipur Cricket Stadium, including increased seating capacity and the installation of floodlights for night matches, is a major achievement. With international-standard night matches now possible, Nepal is becoming a viable venue for global tournaments.

• Women's Success

The Nepali women's cricket team also proved its strength in 2082. Although they missed out on the T20 World Cup, they secured a spot in the global qualifiers by finishing in the top two at the Asian qualifiers in Bangkok in May 2025. They also won a T20 international series against Malaysia on their home soil.

• Visually Impaired Athletes Shine

The Nepali women's blind cricket team achieved a historic milestone by becoming runners-up in the first-ever Blind Women's T20 World Cup held in India and Sri Lanka. Captain Gita Poudel's team was rewarded by both the Cricket Association of Nepal and the Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

• Karate Records

Erika Gurung ended 2082 on a high note by winning her second silver medal at the World Karate Federation (WKF) Karate 1 Premier League in Sichuan, China. Under coach Kushal Shrestha, Gurung has become a top-tier athlete, having also won a silver medal at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.

• Taekwondo Honors

Nepali coach Kaviraj Negi Lama was honored as the 'Para Taekwondo Coach of the Year 2025' at the World Taekwondo Gala Awards in the UAE. His trainee, Palesha Goverdhan, won Nepal's first-ever Paralympic medal in Paris in 2024.

• Boxing Milestone

Nepal won its first-ever medal at the World Boxing Championship this year. Boxer Chandra Bahadur Thapa secured a bronze medal in the 54kg category at the IBA Men's World Boxing Championship in the UAE, defeating opponents from Armenia, Indonesia, and Iran.

• 41 World-Class Medals

In 2082, Nepal set a record by winning 41 medals—26 gold, 10 silver, and 5 bronze—at the World Powerlifting Championship in Sri Lanka. Dr. Jitendra Kumar Sah and Bheshkumari Aslami won double gold medals, and Nepal was recognized as the best team in both men's and women's categories.

• Football Turmoil

Nepali football was marred by internal disputes within the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA). Conflicts regarding election timing led to a suspension by the National Sports Council, threatening potential FIFA sanctions. These disputes caused the women's team to miss the FIFA Series 2026 in Thailand and forced the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers to be moved to Laos.

• League Postponement and Uncertainty

The postponement of both men's and women's leagues has created uncertainty, especially regarding the participation of foreign players due to labor permit issues. This instability hinders the professional development of the sport.

• Support for Samba

Football fans showed immense solidarity for star player Sabitra Bhandari 'Samba' following a serious knee injury, raising over Rs. 10 million in 24 hours for her treatment. Samba, who has played for clubs in France, remains committed to returning to the national team.

• Olympic Committee Lockdown

A prolonged lockdown at the Nepal Olympic Committee office in Satdobato caused significant tension, nearly jeopardizing Nepal's participation in the upcoming Asian Games in Japan. The dispute has since been resolved.

• National Games Stalled

The 10th National Games, scheduled for Karnali Province in 2082, were postponed again, affecting the active careers of many athletes.

In conclusion, responsible bodies must work to ensure that the shortcomings of 2082 are not repeated in 2083. Sports should be free from politics, and development must be transparent and long-term, starting from the school level. Government initiative is essential to make sports a viable career path, thereby reducing the migration of athletes abroad. Partnership with the private sector is the need of the hour for the sustainable development of Nepali sports.