Tenzing Sherpa became Nepal’s lifeline during the 20th Asian Games after securing the country’s first medal—a bronze in karate—on September 23. Three days later, women’s kabaddi also bagged another bronze. For a country that wanted to win medals in double figures, the contingent of 135 athletes from 21 sports could only win two.
For Sherpa, the medal meant a lot. He became well-known overnight.
As the joy settled in, Sherpa awaited cash rewards from the government under the National Sports Development Directives, 2079.
The Cabinet, on October 9, announced cash rewards to the athletes, coaches and managers behind Nepal’s two medals in the 20th Asian Games. And the money was transferred to the individuals’ respective bank accounts on Wednesday.
However, Sherpa was dissatisfied when he got the message of the transaction. And he shared his concerns through social media on Wednesday afternoon.
“After I won the medal, my coaches, family members and friends had said that my future was secured as the government would provide me with a cash reward for making the country proud,” Sherpa wrote on his Facebook. “I was expecting the same. But the amount I received was far lower than what I had heard of. Moreover, the amount got lower after tax deduction.”
Meanwhile, it was not the money that Sherpa had his eyes on. What he wanted was a proper recognition for making the country proud.
“As I write this post, some might say I am doing it just for the money. But for me, it is not simply about the money,” he wrote. “My only wish is that what I experienced should never be faced by another athlete tomorrow.”
As per the Guidelines, an athlete who wins bronze in the Asian Games will get Rs1.3 million. However, Sherpa was provided only half of that amount. The reason: Sherpa did not play a qualifier to enter the Asian Games.
Officials at the National Sports Council (NSC), the governing body of Nepali sports, say that Sherpa got only half the amount as he had entered the Asian Games without having to fight for a spot in its official qualifier.
Sherpa has questioned this disparity.
“What should athletes do in sports that do not even have an international qualifying round?” he questions. “It would be one thing if I had competed in the Asian Games through a wild card or without any selection process. But I represented the country after going through and passing the selection process held right here in Nepal.”
Sherpa argues that he was extremely hurt from such a biased rule.
“I wish someone had told me right at the beginning: ‘Tenzing, you are representing the country at the Asian Games, but you will be treated as a B-grade athlete,” he wrote. “At least then, I could have set my expectations accordingly.”
After the bronze in Nagoya, Japan, Sherpa had set sight on bigger medals for the country.
“But going through this today leaves so many questions in my mind,” he wrote. “It is deeply tragic that an athlete competing for the nation has to raise their voice just to get basic respect for their hard work and achievements. More than the money, I simply want proper recognition for my hard work and my medal.”
Sherpa has mentioned the sports ministry, sports minister, NSC and the prime minister in his status.
“I hope the concerned authorities will understand my feelings and take a fair, just decision on this matter,” Sherpa wrote. “You dream of gold and double-digit medal tallies for the country, but what can I even say… Thank you.”