Nepal’s participation in the upcoming South Asian Federation (SAF) Games became uncertain after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ordered South Asia Sports Federation (SASF), not to invite Nepal in the Executive Committee meeting to be held in Pakistan from January 31- February 1.

According to reports, IOC’s letter to Pakistan Olympic Committee read, “Please note that the IOC recommends you not to invite Nepali representatives to the SASF Executive meeting nor in the SAF Games unless Nepal Olympic Committee led by Rukma Shumsher Rana is reestablished within the ultimatum given by IOC.”

After receiving the letter from the IOC, Secretary General of SASF and NOC Pakistan, Mohammad Latif Butt in a letter to Nepal on Monday stated, “We believe that Nepal Government will resolve the row by next Tuesday satisfactorily. Otherwise, Nepali representatives won’t be invited to the SASF Executive meeting as per the IOC’s order.”

However, Member Secretary of NSC, Kishor Bahadur Singh assured that Nepal will not face any such restrictions. He said, “International sports officials are ignorant about the expulsion of the NOC led by Rukma Shumsher Rana.”

He further said, “We are going to send a letter to SASF explaining the whole issue and hopefully everything will settle down.”

On January 13, IOC President Jacques Rogge and two days later, OCA President Sheikh Ahmed Al Fahad Al Sabah had written a letter to PM Surya Bahadur Thapa to reinstate the NOC under the presidency of Rukma Shumsher Rana. nepalnews.com mr Jan 25