Swimmer Irvin Shrestha Alleges Irregularities in Asian Games Selection

Kathmandu. Nepali national swimming player Irvin Shrestha has accused the Nepal Swimming Association of rigging the selection of players for the 20th Asian Games and causing mental distress to them. 

Addressing a press conference in Nakshal on Tuesday, swimmers Irvin, Medhav KC, and Nirnay Thapa, along with their coach and players' families, alleged that the National Sports Council (NSC) and the Nepal Swimming Association changed the rules midway through the selection competition, preventing them from qualifying for the Asian Games.

Players allege that the association posted a notice midway through the competition stating that the Asian Games selection would be based on this competition, thereby rigging the process. The 20th Asian Games are scheduled to be held in Japan in September. The Nepal Swimming Association had already conducted selections for the Asian Games on Jestha 23 and 24.

In the selection, Irvin Shrestha won gold in his event (freestyle) but performed poorly in the heats. Consequently, Irvin fell behind in FINA points and failed to qualify for the Asian Games.

However, he is still the gold medalist in the 200m, 100m, and 50m freestyle. Overall, he finished second in freestyle. When he fell behind by 20 milliseconds in the heats, the Nepal Swimming Association selected the player who finished first in FINA points.

Although the association mentioned before the competition that this was a preliminary selection and the final selection would be held later, player Irvin alleges that a notice was published on the second day stating that this was the final selection.

Players state that the Nepal Swimming Association published a notice stating that the competition was made the final selection because the National Sports Council (NSC) had instructed to complete the selection within five days while the selection was ongoing. While the association used to select two players before, they allege that the association rigged the selection by choosing only one player per stroke (event). Irvin stated that changing the rules midway through the competition put them under mental pressure. 

The players have filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court against the decision of the selection competition. They stated that the court has summoned the Nepal Swimming Association, the National Sports Council, and the Nepal Olympic Committee for a discussion on Wednesday.

At the press conference held on Tuesday, the association alleged that although players were selected and prepared according to the preliminary notice of the competition, the rules and criteria of the game were changed in the final stage of the competition. It was mentioned before the championship that the top eight players would reach the final. Players were prepared based on that, but during the competition, this rule was changed, reducing the number of players participating in the final.

Parents claim that changing the rules during the competition caused injustice to the players. Players stated that the association officials emphasized fairness and transparency in sports, and changing the rules during the competition was against the spirit of the game.

Players state that the association conducted the competition against the criteria. They allege that this confused the players and coaches and raised questions about the credibility of the competition. They have urged the relevant bodies to take necessary action against those responsible and provide justice to the affected players. - News Agency Nepal