KATHMANDU, Prime Minister (PM) KP Sharma Oli has extended congratulations to the Nepali medalists of the South Asian Youth Table Tennis Championship.

At a felicitation program held at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar today, PM Oli praised the young athletes for their achievements and encouraged them to continue working hard with high morale to succeed at the international level. Nepal secured a total of 12 medals in the tournament, which was organized by the All Nepal Table Tennis Association in Kathmandu from April 24 to 27.

The tally included 1 gold, 6 silver, and 5 bronze medals. The U-19 boys’ team—comprising Prabhesh Basnet, Gananjay Dahal, Himal Bista, and Rubin Maharjan—clinched the gold medal in the team event.

To boost their morale, Prime Minister Oli played table tennis with the winners and participants, observed their skills, and presented cash prizes to outstanding and participating players from his personal side. Association Vice-President Purna Shankar Shrestha expressed optimism that this historic gesture of support from the Prime Minister would inspire better results in the future for the sport in Nepal.

Meanwhile, Rajendra Bahadur Dulal, the association’s secretary and team manager of the championship, urged the government to support young athletes by ending the current practice of parents having to personally finance their children’s participation in international tournaments.