Nepal Weightlifting Association (NWA) on Monday announced the plans to build its first Weightlifting and Fitness Academy in Nepalgunj.

The four-storey Academy will be constructed at the Nepalgunj Stadium premises and will cover the expense of $80,000, informed NWA President Ratan Kumar Tandon during a press conference in Kathmandu.

The ground floor will be used as training and fitness hall which will also be able to host tournaments. The first floor will include women’s hostel of 10 rooms along with a dining hall, while the second floor will have a men’s hostel with 12 rooms and a dining hall. The third floor will have a library which can accommodate at least 50 visitors.

Meanwhile, the sport’s governing body also feted Nepal’s weightlifting medallists in the recently concluded South Asian Games. Nepal had won one silver and three bronze medals in the Games where the country ended up picking three gold medals.

Bikash Thapa (men’s 62kg) had won the only silver in the sport and he got Rs 10,000. Devi Kumari Chaudhary (women’s 53kg), Tara Devi Pun (75kg) and Juni Maya Chhantyal (63kg) were the bronze medallists. All three lifters got Rs 8,000 apiece.

During the programme, the association also provided financial assistance to the weightlifters affected by April 25 earthquake last year. An assistance of Rs 30,000 was given to those who have lost their relatives, while lifters who had their house completely or partially damaged got Rs 20,000 and Rs 15,000.

Laxman Ranjit, Mui Lama, Ram Kumar Shrestha, Gopal Bahadur Shrestha, Gyan Bahadur Shrestha, Surendra Shrestha, Raju Rana (Palpa), Raju Rana (Dhading), Anil Malla, Lucky Thapa, Ramesh Pathak, Jeevan Tamang and Buddhi Lama were provided with the assistance.