Nepal Gears Up for 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou
*City Sports Network*
By Bibek Dhungana
Hangzhou, China - As the countdown to the 19th Asian Games officially branded as "Hangzhou 2022" enters its final days, the excitement is building not only among athletes and sports enthusiasts but also for the nation of Nepal. With 234 Nepali athletes participating in various disciplines, Nepal is ready to make its mark on the Asian sporting stage once again.
Originally scheduled for September 2022, the Games were postponed to 2023 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The new dates were announced on July 19, 2022, and since then, athletes from all corners of Asia have been eagerly preparing to showcase their skills in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
In the world of cricket, a sport dearly loved in Nepal, there is much anticipation as the game makes its return to the Asian Games after a hiatus since 2014. Nepal is set to compete in the men's category, and the cricket enthusiasts back home are hoping for a strong showing from their team.
On the football front, it's the women who will carry Nepal's hopes. With Nepal's women's football team participating, there's an added element of excitement as they face formidable opponents, including the mighty Japan, a nation that has previously played in the FIFA Women's World Cup. The women's football team has been making strides in recent years, and fans are eager to see how they perform on this grand stage.
Nepal was 2nd in 2018 Asian Game's Paragliding in Jakarta, Indonesia. However, this time around, one notable absence is paragliding, which had been a source of medals for Nepal in previous editions. Nevertheless, Nepal's athletes are determined to shine in other disciplines.
The volleyball team from Nepal is also gearing up for competition, and their participation adds another layer of excitement for Nepali sports enthusiasts. Details about their preparations and prospects will be unveiled in the coming days on City Sports Network.
The 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou are significant for Nepal and all participating nations, as they mark a return to normalcy in the sporting world after the pandemic-induced disruptions. Hangzhou will be the third Chinese city to host the Asian Games, following Beijing in 1990 and Guangzhou in 2010.
As the clock ticks down to the opening ceremony on September 23, 2023, all eyes are on the athletes of Nepal. The nation is hopeful that their representatives will bring home medals and make them proud on the grandest stage of Asian sports. Stay tuned to City Sports Network for in-depth coverage of Nepal's journey and all the thrilling moments of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou.