Kathmandu, October 14
An international-level training programme has begun in Nepal for the first time, aimed at developing wheelchair rugby and building the capacity of players.
The “Wheelchair Rugby Development Training 2026” started on Tuesday at the covered hall of the National Sports Council (NSC) in Tripureshwor. It is organised by the Wheelchair Rugby Association Nepal, in collaboration with the BIA Institute and the Nepal Rugby Association.
Fourteen Nepali players are taking part in the three-day training, which will run daily from 2 pm to 5 pm.
A five-member team led by American wheelchair rugby coach Michael Steve Cairley has come to Nepal for the training. The team also includes Dr Jeffrey Craig Berliner, a specialist in spinal cord injury rehabilitation, and American wheelchair rugby player Logan Dean Fuller.
Nepal’s Krishna Thapa and Shree Ram Shrestha are taking part as coaches, and international referee Prem Koirala is also involved. The organisers said the Nepal Rugby Association has helped with arranging coaches and referees for the programme.
The training will cover wheelchair handling, game skills, strategy, physical fitness development, injury prevention, and health and rehabilitation.
The programme has been organised to strengthen the foundation of wheelchair rugby in Nepal. The organisers expect it to help develop the players’ skills and capacity and to open a path for Nepali players to take part in regional and international competitions.
