The Nepal Olympic Committee is facing mounting turmoil after Secretary General and presidential candidate Nilendra Raj Shrestha accused the ongoing election process of being illegal and in direct violation of a Supreme Court directive.
In a formal letter to Basanta Basnet, Coordinator of the NOC Election Commission, Nilendra Raj Shrestha reaffirmed his candidacy for the presidency while raising serious concerns about the integrity of the election. He condemned the Commission’s decision to proceed with an online vote despite a court order to halt the process.
Nilendra Raj Shrestha criticized the Election Commission for disregarding legal procedures and undermining the principles of fairness and justice. He urged the Commission to suspend the election immediately and comply with the Supreme Court’s directive.
In his appeal, Nilendra Raj Shrestha called on the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Council of Asia to closely monitor the situation and intervene to ensure the election adheres to international standards of transparency and legality.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
He further warned that if the election proceeds, he will file a formal complaint with law enforcement and demand a criminal investigation against those responsible for violating legal orders and attempting to manipulate the process.
This dispute has added fuel to the ongoing controversies surrounding the NOC, which has faced criticism since Jeevan Ram Shrestha’s controversial attempts to amend the committee’s statutes. Opponents accused him of pushing changes to extend his term, sparking backlash from sports associations and political circles.
The controversy has already drawn scrutiny from the IOC, which has reportedly refused to recognize the amended statutes, raising further questions about the NOC’s governance and integrity.
Adding to the turmoil, Nepal’s government denounced the Olympic Committee presidential elections held last week, in which Jeevan Ram Shrestha won in a landslide victory for a controversial third term. The government’s condemnation has amplified calls for an independent review of the process and accountability for any legal violations.
With Nepal’s Olympic leadership under the spotlight and the Supreme Court yet to issue a final verdict, stakeholders are calling for immediate action to restore order and fairness. Observers now look to the IOC and OCA for potential intervention as the legal and administrative battles unfold.
As tensions escalate, concerns remain about the impact on Nepal’s international reputation in sports. Further updates are expected as the situation develops.
