Why Is the Nepali PUBG Team Unable to Participate in the Asian Games Despite Qualifying?

The Nepali PUBG team, having delivered an outstanding performance at the qualifying competition held in Vietnam and secured a spot at the 20th Asian Games scheduled in Aichi–Nagoya, Japan, has been prevented from competing in the event. According to reports, despite qualifying for the 20th Asian Games, the Nepali PUBG team could not participate due to administrative shortcomings. The team members were excluded by the relevant authorities as their names were not included in the long list maintained by the National Sports Council. The dispute between esports associations and the lack of coordination have led to the loss of this significant international opportunity for the players, raising widespread concern. (16 Shrawan, Kathmandu)

Although the Nepali PUBG team underwent a rigorous selection process for the 20th Asian Games, they have faced a situation where they cannot participate in the event. The team secured their spot by performing excellently in the qualifiers held in Vietnam. However, as esports was not registered from Nepal this time for the Asian Games, their dream remains unfulfilled despite qualifying. During a press conference held in Kathmandu on Friday, the players questioned the concerned authorities about why they were not allowed to participate even after qualifying, expressing their disappointment by asking, “Why can’t we play at the Asian Games even after qualifying?”

In the Asian Games esports qualifying competition held in Vietnam from June 19 to 21, the Nepali team finished seventh out of 23 teams, thus securing their place for the 20th Asian Games. The top eight teams qualified for the event. The Nepali team included Samir Costello (Jeyo), Rohit Tamang (Jordi), Dipesh Gurung (Delta X), Saurabh Tamang (TMG-8), and Sonu Karki (Bye Bye). However, the joy of qualification was short-lived. When their names were absent from the official player list, the players were barred from participation, causing visible disappointment. During the press conference, the players stated that despite fulfilling all their responsibilities on the field, they lost the opportunity due to administrative failures.

“We earned our place through hard work, but not being allowed to participate in the Asian Games has left us deeply disappointed,” the players said. Team manager Home Bahadur Gurung emphasized that beyond the players’ achievements, the greater pain lies in losing the opportunity. “It is extremely painful for the players to lose the chance they earned,” he clarified.

Currently, two esports associations are active in Nepal: the internationally recognized Nepal Esports Association (NESA) and the Esports Association of Nepal (ESAN), registered with the National Sports Council. The Nepali team qualified through NESA. However, due to the lack of administrative coordination and institutional disputes, the players have lost this valuable opportunity.

Ram Chandra Mehta, Member-Secretary of the National Sports Council, stated, “Being included in the long list is mandatory to participate in the Asian Games. Since the players selected for PUBG are not on the long list, their participation is not possible.” Not long ago, Rashtriya Aayog Paksh Member-Secretary Mehta and Nepal Olympic Committee Chairman Jeevan Ram Shrestha had assured that Nepal’s participation in the 20th Asian Games would be smooth. However, despite registering players in 22 sports to date, esports players have not been included. This raises serious questions about the preparedness and coordination among the relevant bodies. The Nepali players, who have proven their capabilities on the field, are now asking, “Why did we lose such a significant international opportunity despite no fault of ours?”