Nepal’s para athletes are chasing medals with little more than hope and donations
Summary
Nepali para athletes, including medalist Palesha Goverdhan, face severe funding challenges and limited government support as they prepare for the upcoming Asian Para Games in Japan.
Key Points
- Nepal's para athletes struggle with minimal government funding and rely heavily on donations and personal contributions.
- Palesha Goverdhan won Nepal's first Paralympic medal in 2024 and received limited official support despite her achievements.
- Government budget allocation for 35 Nepali para athletes to participate in the Asian Para Games is Rs3.5 million, insufficient even for travel costs.
- Para sports associations fund training and preparation largely through corporate sponsorships and members' own resources due to lack of state support.
