PM Oli congratulates medal winners of South Asian Youth Table Tennis Championship

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli extended his congratulations to the medal-winning players of the South Asian Youth Table Tennis Championship during a special event held at the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar today.

Commending the young and promising athletes, PM Oli encouraged them to continue working hard with high morale and expressed his best wishes for their success in future international competitions.

Nepal secured a total of 12 medals — 1 gold, 6 silver, and 5 bronze — in the championship organized by the All Nepal Table Tennis Association from April 24 to 27 in Kathmandu.

The gold medal was won by Nepal’s U-19 boys team in the team event. The team comprised Pravesh Basnet, Gananjay Dahal, Himal Bishst, and Rubin Maharjan.

During the event, PM Oli not only observed a table tennis demonstration but also played briefly with the players to motivate them. He further announced a surprise cash reward for all medal winners and participating athletes from his personal side.

Vice President of the Association, Purna Shankar Shrestha, expressed his gratitude, noting this was the first time table tennis had received such recognition at the Prime Ministerial level, which he believes will yield positive outcomes for the sport in the future.

Likewise, Association Secretary and team manager Rajendra Bahadur Dulal appealed to the government for financial support, stating that players currently have to pay their own expenses while representing Nepal in international events — a practice that should end.