History of Sport Journalism in Nepal

(This is the an excerpt from my post-graduation thesis – Sports Press in Nepal: A Survey of Sports Pages of the Daily Newspapers. See bottom of this post for more information.)

Sports journalism is defined as the collection, editing and disseminating the news about the activities of sports. (Acharya, 1998) When there is talk about the involvement of media in the development of sports, it is referred to its vital role in disseminating the sports events. (Shakya, 1999)

Sports journalism started getting importance only after 1985. At that time, there were only two broadsheet dailies, Gorkhapatra and The Rising Nepal. Not to talk of a separate page for sports in the newspapers of those days, even the coverage of sports events were very scant. (Shakya, 1999)

The history of sports journalism in Nepal begins with Sporting Times, a sports magazine published in 1956. (Acharya, 1998) Edited by Manindra Raj Shrestha, it was English fortnightly. (Shakya, 1999) It ceased publication after a few issues. (Acharya, 1998).

In 1960, Shyam KC began Sportsman monthly which also ceased publication soon. (Acharya, 1998) This publication played crucial role in enhancing sports journalism. (Gyawali, 2003) Since then a number of sports magazines were published but none of them were published on regular basis. (Shakya, 1999)

In 1967, Rangasala was published under editorship of Rajendra Bahadur Shrestha and National Sports Council published a sports magazine Khel Ra Kheladi a year later. Both of these could not continue. In 1974, NSC began a quarterly publication, Khelkud Ra Janajivan, which was also closed after three issues.

It’s debatable that why NSC, a government body, with yearly budget could not continue the publication. (Silwal, 2005) NSC also began sports programs in Radio Nepal and Nepal Television but that too were short-lived.

Subodh Giri began Khel Jagat in 1979 which irregularly continued till 1987. The sole cause of the irregularity in publication was source of funding as well as lack of trained sports journalists (Gyawali, 2003). Magazines under the flagship of Sports Nepal, Khelkud Manch and Khel Sansar were seen in the market in early 90s, but all of them have closed down now.

Historically, there has been frequent publication of sports magazine but all of them ceased publication after a few issues. The main reason for the closure of all these publication was financial instability. Lack of financial resources for the publication, lack of advertisements and small market caused the shutdown of sports magazines. (Silwal, 2006)

It was The Rising Nepal that has given priority to sports news from the day of its inception. (Silwal, 2006) Even so, daily newspapers didn’t have a separate sports page until early 90s. After 1990, national daily newspaper started separating a sports page which is continued till today. This is a positive aspect of sports journalism (Gyawali, 2003)

The current situation is that every daily newspaper has a separate sports page but still though they are not serious about the sports news. (Acharya, 1998) There were various problems for leading newspapers on sports reporting, one of them was irregularities and sadly, that continues in present context too. (Acharya, 2001)

Sports news has long been the ‘necessary fillers’ something that can’t be missed but also something that doesn’t hold much importance.

Electronic media have begun understanding the importance of events as they have started live broadcasting such events and giving good coverage. The AFC President’s Cup football tournament was not only broadcasted live on Nepal Television, it was also live on Kantipur FM.

Similarly, Nepal Television has bought rights of football and cricket for next four to five years paying a handsome amount. Live broadcasting of cricket or football matches is not new for Nepali television channels these days with NTV being the front-runner. Despite all that, electronic media have not yet been able to give importance to sports news. (Silwal, 2005)

References
1. Acharya, M (1998). About Sports Journalism. Patrakarita, Federation of Nepalese Journalists.
2. Achayra, M (2001). Sports Journalism in Nepal. Working Paper. Olympic Council of Asia.
3. Shakya, R (1998). Sports Journalism: Challenged Ahead. The Rising Nepal. Gorkhapatra Corporation.
4. Silwal, R (2006). Nepal Television Ma Khelkud Samarchar Sambandhi Bislesanatmak Aadhyan. Department of Mass Communication and Journalis, Tribhuvan University.
5. Gyawali. KR (2003). Sports News Coverage in Daily Newspaper Published from Kathmandu Valley in the Final Round of Khukuri Cup Football Tournament 2003. Health, Physical and Population Education Department, Tribuvan University.

(If you need my thesis for your research, let me know.)

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