Building Inclusive Sports in Nepal’s Remote Province: A Case Study of the National Wheelchair Basketball Championship in Karnali Province

Abstract

port is a proven vehicle for health, social inclusion, and the empowerment of persons with disabilities. In Nepal, however, para sports opportunities remain concentrated in Kathmandu, limiting participation for athletes in remote provinces. This paper presents the National Wheelchair Basketball Championship held in Birendranagar, Surkhet (19–21 Ashadh 2083 B.S.), as a case study of inclusive sports development in Karnali Province. Drawing on event documentation, stakeholder accounts, and contextual policy analysis, the study examines the planning, operational challenges, and achievements of the championship. Findings show that despite constraints especially limited wheelchair-accessible accommodation and transport — Karnali successfully hosted a seven-province national tournament with strong government and community support. The championship demonstrates Karnali’s organizational capacity and provides practical evidence that, with targeted investments in accessibility, athlete development, and coordination, the province can host the First National Para Games of Nepal. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for decentralizing para sports governance and scaling inclusive sporting opportunities across Nepal.