Kathmandu : American expertise and Nepali talent came together in Kathmandu this week for the U.S.–Nepal Wheelchair Rugby Exhibition Match, highlighting international cooperation in adaptive sports, athlete development, and rehabilitation.
The event was organized by the Wheelchair Rugby Association of Nepal and Bodhisattvas in Action Nepal, bringing together athletes and experts to promote inclusive sports and create opportunities for people with disabilities.
Steve Kearley, head coach of the USA Wheelchair Rugby Low Point Team, led a five-member U.S. delegation that shared its knowledge and experience in coaching, athlete development, and rehabilitation with Nepali counterparts.
Kearley first visited Nepal in 2023 through an initiative under the U.S. Department of State’s Global Sports Mentoring Program. His visit helped introduce wheelchair rugby to Nepal and establish partnerships with local organizations to support the sport’s development.
Mike Harker, Public Affairs Chief, also attended the exhibition match and recognized the contributions of Nepali alumni of U.S. government exchange programs in advancing adaptive sports. Their efforts are helping strengthen sporting opportunities and build connections between athletes and communities in Nepal and the United States.
The exhibition underscored the role of international partnerships in promoting accessibility, inclusion, and equal opportunities through sports. It also demonstrated how knowledge-sharing and collaboration can help expand adaptive sports and support athletes with disabilities in both countries.
The U.S.–Nepal initiative reflects a shared commitment to using sports as a platform for empowerment, community engagement, and stronger bilateral people-to-people ties.
