Kathmandu: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli remarked that Nepal is increasingly gaining international recognition through its achievements in sports. Speaking at the 61st-anniversary celebration of the National Sports Council on Wednesday, PM Oli highlighted Nepal’s growing presence on the global sports stage, citing the recent success of Paralympic bronze medalist Palesha Goverdhan in the 2024 Paralympics as a significant milestone.

The Prime Minister reiterated his commitment to honoring Goverdhan with a reward of NPR 6.5 million, free of tax, in line with his previous announcement. He emphasized that this would put an end to the practice of unfulfilled promises regarding such rewards. "When given a chance, Nepalis excel and achieve remarkable feats," Oli said, extending his best wishes to all athletes.

As the Council’s patron, Oli set ambitious goals for Nepal, urging athletes to prepare for success in the upcoming Japan Olympics and Asian Games through rigorous training. He stressed that maintaining strong willpower until the end of competitions is crucial for success.

On a separate note, the Prime Minister called for democratic leadership within sports institutions, emphasizing the need to avoid monopolizing leadership positions for personal gain.

During the event, PM Oli also presented awards to various athletes who had excelled in the past year.