Wushu is the only discipline to have brought Nepal a gold medal in the Games so far. In a sorry-looking Nepali medal tally, the sport has also won 10 silver and one bronze medals. But the sport ran into controversy after nine players, including the silver medallists, alleged the team management of leaving them stranded on their return home on Thursday.

The players alleged the team management of not taking care of Hari Prasad Gole and Rajesh Chaudhary, two silver medallists despite their illness. Gole is suffering from high fever due to tonsillitis and Chaudhary had a right leg injury during the Games, said one of the players from Kakadvitta, Jhapa on Friday.

The players also blamed team management of boarding a flight to Kathmandu, leaving them without a single penny. “We had asked for a one-day rest in Kakadvitta because two of our friends were ill and every one of us were tired due to a tight schedule and continuous travelling. But they left us stranded,” said one of the players under conditions of anonymity.

Team manager Nani Babu Tamang along with four coaches and six women players and a male player—Raj Kumar Rasaili—returned to Kathmandu on Friday after staying in Itahari on Thursday night. Tamang refuted the allegations saying they would take the responsibility if found guilty.

“We had to travel according to our schedule set by the National Sports Council (NSC). The players were venting ire due of the tight travelling schedule. They were already given money by the NSC as the tour allowance and I don’t think we left them penniless. We will review the matter soon,” said Tamang. Nepal wushu team in the SA Games comprised of 16 players—10 men and 6 women.