Kathmandu, Aug. 15 -- An unnecessary interference by the state authorities in the operation of the Nepal Olympic Committee has put Nepal's participation in the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, the capital of Aichi Prefecture in Japan, at risk, the committee's executive members say.

The 20th edition of the biggest sporting event of Asia is taking place from September 19 to October 4 next year.

Organising a press meet, the NOC on July 1 revealed that 30 sports associations' names were sent to the OCA for participation. However, after a few hours of the NOC news conference, the Ministry of Youth and Sports issued a statement saying that they had sent a separate list of 31 sports and requested the Asian Games not to accept the one sent by the "i...