Can ‘Mission 2026’ finally deliver Nepal its first Asian Games gold?

Two decades ago, at the 15 th Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, in 2006, taekwondoins Deepak Bista, Ayasha Shakya and Manita Shahi secured three bronze medals for Nepal. At the time, karate legend Deepak Shrestha issued a grim warning: without long-term, systemic preparation, Nepal would struggle to stay competitive as rival nations poured millions into sports infrastructure. His words proved prophetic. For the next three editions, Nepal won only one medal in each edition—a boxing bronze by Deepak Maharjan in Guangzhou 2010, a karate bronze by Bimala Tamang in Incheon 2014, and a paragliding team silver in Jakarta-Palembang 2018—often relying more on individual grit and luck than state strategy. The narrative shifted slightly at the delayed 2022 Hangzhou Games, which was held in 2023 due to Covid-19, where karateka Erika Gurung clinched historic silver, and the women’s kabaddi team bagged bronze.

The double-medal finish prompted the National Sports Council to announce ‘ Mission 2026 ’—a long-term plan promising uninterrupted training, dietary support and adequate exposure for top athletes. “Based on the preparation and performance metrics we’ve tracked, we are expecting results that match our effort,” said Deepak Shrestha, who now serves as the director of national team preparation under the National Sports Council. “With the form Erika has maintained, we are firmly expecting a medal haul that includes at least one gold.” Yet, Shrestha admits the journey to Nagoya was plagued by familiar bureaucratic hurdles. Budget shortfalls earlier this year temporarily disrupted national camps, forcing coaches and sports associations to scramble. “Government bodies and sports federations treated ‘Mission 2026’ as if it was purely the NSC’s private project,” Shrestha lamented.

“When funds ran short, training was derailed, and no one else stepped up. We cannot rely on paper plans alone. But now that we are here, we must convert that preparation into podium finishes.” Nepal’s highest medal hopes rest on combat sports—karate, boxing, wushu and taekwondo—alongside women’s kabaddi. There would have been hopes for some more medals had the e-sports athletes not been denied participation despite qualifying for the 20 th Asian Games. Gurung, whose silver in Hangzhou revitalised Nepali martial arts, remains the country’s brightest gold prospect.

This is a short excerpt. EkJhalak links out rather than reproducing other newsrooms’ work — continue at Kathmandu Post.