KATHMANDU, July 29: National Sports Council (NSC) re-launched a special training program called Mission SAG from Sunday.
NSC had run the Mission SAG training program last year but abandoned it after India failed to organize the 12th South Asian Games (SAG) on time. Though India is yet to officially confirm the date of the 12th SAG, NSC has re-launched the program.
NSC has called up 177 athletes including 76 women in the first phase of training programs, which includes athletics, boxing, karate, taekwondo, wushu and judo.
According to NSC Training Department Chief Harihar Shrestha, programs will be conducted in Kathmandu for 114 athletes from the Valley and the departmental teams while 63 players of different region will receive training in their respective regional headquarters. An athlete will receive a daily stipend of Rs 250 during the first phase training program.
NSC has called up gold medalists and silver medalists of the Sixth National Games held in Dhangadhi from February 26 to March 4, 2012.
"We have a proper plan for the training and it is based on the sports science," said Shrestha.
NSC Member Secretary Yubaraj Lama and other NSC officials gave instructions to the athletes and coaches amidst the re-launch on Sunday in Satdobato.
"This training is not only for the 12th SAG participation, but also to prepare national teams which have real medal prospect in the games," said Lama. "NSC wants to end the tradition of international participation for the shake of participation," he added.
Lama said he has been dreaming of at least 40 gold medals in the upcoming SAG. "Coaches and players should be responsible and they should run training programs properly. Otherwise, NSC can´t tolerate them and will seek replacements," said Lama.
NSC Vice President Pitambar Timalsina said the training program would boost athletes´ morale before the regional sports event.
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