Nepal's Para-Athletes Compete on Hope and Donations Amidst Funding Gaps

Despite global strides towards inclusivity in sports, Nepal's para-athletes continue to chase medals with minimal state support, relying heavily on hope and donations. While the Paralympic Games are recognized as a major global sporting event, Nepal lags significantly in providing comparable investment and opportunities for its para-athletes.

Palesha Goverdhan's historic bronze medal win in para taekwondo at the Paris 2024 Paralympics brought her a hero's welcome upon returning to Nepal. However, this success story is overshadowed by the stark reality that the very sports authorities who lauded her provided zero rupees for her training. Although she received cash prizes from the state and businesses after her medal win, the sustained investment needed for her to aim for gold at future events like the Asian Para Games and the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics is notably absent.

Goverdhan's situation is indicative of the broader challenges faced by Nepali para-athletes. Her coach, Kabiraj Negi Lama, has worked voluntarily for over a decade, helping Nepal win numerous international medals. While para taekwondo athletes received a daily training allowance of up to Rs600 until the fiscal year 2025/26 as part of 'Mission 26,' this support was reportedly irregular. This lack of consistent, substantial funding impacts not only Goverdhan but also other para-athletes preparing for upcoming events like the Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, underscoring a critical gap in Nepal's sports development infrastructure.

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Para taekwondoins were given up to Rs600 a day until the end of the fiscal year 2025/26 to train for the upcoming Para Asian Games as part of the government’s Mission 26. But it was not regular.