Nepal’s boxing contingent is making the most of India’s high-performance sporting ecosystem as it fine-tunes preparations for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Guwahati.
The seven-member Nepal boxing team, accompanied by two coaches, has been training at the centre since August 10 and will continue its camp until September 15 before travelling to Japan for the Asian Games, which begin on September 19.
The extended training and sparring programme was undertaken following a formal request from the Nepal Boxing Federation, marking another significant step in the growing sporting ties between the two neighbouring countries.
A press conference was held at SAI Guwahati on Friday, attended by SAI NCOE boxing coach Narendra Rana, Indian boxer Ankushita Boro, Nepal head coach Raj Shrestha, 51kg boxer Ramisha Shrestha and SAI Regional Centre Guwahati Executive Director D.K. Mittal.
“The Nepal Boxing Team is undergoing structured training and coaching at SAI NCOE Guwahati. Sporting exchanges such as this help strengthen the bonds between India and Nepal and promote friendship, cooperation and mutual understanding. Sport serves as a powerful bridge connecting the people of India and Nepal,” Mittal said.
The visiting boxers have been training under SAI coaches Narendra Rana, Trideep Borah and Pranamika Borah, with the programme focusing on technical development, physical conditioning, tactical preparation and competitive readiness.
The Nepal contingent has also been provided accommodation, food and training facilities at the centre, along with access to sports science and medical support, including doctors and nurses.
The boxers have benefited from regular training and sparring sessions with Indian boxers, including athletes from the Indian Army and Meghalaya, giving them exposure to different styles and competitive situations.
“The training camp has been a valuable experience for both the Nepalese and Indian boxers. Training and sparring with boxers from the Indian Army and Meghalaya has given the Nepalese team a strong competitive environment and helped them work on different styles and tactical situations,” Rana said.
“We are happy to support their final preparations for the Asian Games and hope this exposure contributes to their performance in Aichi-Nagoya,” he added.
Nepal boxer Ramisha Shrestha, who will compete in the 51kg category, said the camp had boosted her confidence ahead of the Games.
“Training at SAI NCOE Guwahati has been a great experience for us. The facilities, coaching and quality of sparring have helped us improve technically and physically. We are grateful to SAI and the coaches for their support and for giving us the opportunity to prepare alongside strong Indian boxers,” she said.
The Nepal team also took part in National Sports Day celebrations alongside Indian athletes, coaches and staff and participated in a Teachers’ Day programme at the NCOE, giving the visiting contingent an opportunity to engage with the wider sporting community.
The sporting exchange was further strengthened by a friendly boxing competition held at the SAI Regional Centre, Guwahati, from August 24 to 28. The event provided the Nepalese boxers with valuable competitive exposure while fostering camaraderie between athletes from the two countries.
The Nepal contingent comprises Ramisha Shrestha (51kg), Asmita Duwal (54kg), Kusum Tamang (65kg), Chandra Bahadur Thapa (55kg), Khagendra Roka Magar (60kg), Dan Bahadur Darlami (70kg) and Rabin Nepal (90kg). Head coach Raj Shrestha and coach Deepak Maharjan are accompanying the team.
The camp is being conducted on a no-cost-to-SAI basis, with the Nepal Boxing Federation bearing expenses related to international travel, visas, medical insurance and other incidental costs.
The initiative underlines India’s growing role in facilitating high-performance sporting opportunities in the region and adds another chapter to the longstanding India-Nepal sporting partnership.
