Sports in Nepal
The Nepalese play many sports at national as well as at international level. The most common sport played in Nepal is cricket followed by football. The Nepal national cricket team has achieved great achievements in comparison to other sport including participation in World Cup (World T20), cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane's participation in international leagues and gaining the One Day International status. Nepal's national sport is Volleyball - officially declared on 23 May 2017.[1]
Cricket
Nepal is getting international recognition for cricket after International Cricket Council awarded Affiliate status in 1988 and Associate status in 1996. Nepal achieved Twenty20 International (T20I) status in November 2013 after beating Hong Kong to secure a place in the 2014 ICC World Twenty20, where they beat Hong Kong and Afghanistan to go 2-1 in the opening round. In little over a year after that promising debut, Nepal lost their T20I status with a disastrous performance at the 2015 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in Ireland. After finishing 2018 ICC World Cricket League Division Two at second place Nepal claims the place in 2018 Cricket World Cup Qualifier. Nepal have claimed One Day International (ODI) status for the first time with their six wicket win over Papua New Guinea in the 2018 Cricket World Cup Qualifier play off encounter on 15 March 2018.[2][3] With getting One Day International (ODI) status Nepal also regained Twenty20 International (T20I) status.
Football
In South Asian Games 2016 which was held in India, Nepal won the gold medal in men's football beating India by 2-1. Football is most popular in nepal followed by cricket.There are many professional leagues.There are many pro football clubs. The most played sport in nepal is football. the most popular football clubs are APF,MMC,Freinds,Three star etc. In Nepal Football is played all over especially in Hilly and Himalayan region. Football is played in streets,futsal etc
Nepal has also had many achievements. Before SAG, Nepal also won Bangabandhu Gold Cup final beating Bahrain by 3-0 and U19 SAFF championship 2015 beating INDIA in tri-breaker by 5-4. On 15 March 2018 Nepal holds 165th position in FIFA ranking.[4]
Swimming
Gaurika Singh participated at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as the youngest Olympian, representing Nepal in the Women's 100m backstroke.
Volleyball
Nepal's national sport is Volleyball - officially declared on 23 May 2017.[1]
References
- ^ a b "It's official: Volleyball is the national sport of Nepal – OnlineKhabar". 23 May 2017. Archived from the original on 23 May 2017. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
- ^ "Nepal make cricket history after securing ODI status". Retrieved 8 September 2018.
- ^ "'Biggest day in Nepal cricket history' - Khadka". ESPNcricinfo. 15 March 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
- ^ FIFA.com. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking - Ranking Table - FIFA.com". FIFA.com. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
Further reading
- "Football at the heart of the Himalaya". FIFA. Archived from the original on 9 September 2005. Retrieved 23 September 2005.
External links
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