Two judokas from Nepal flew to Spain recently, using fake documents purporting to be from Nepal Judo Association (NJA). Saroj Maharjan and coach Devendra Karmacharya participated in the IJF Referee and Coach Seminar in Malaga, Spain, in late January without the consent of the judo governing body of Nepal, NJA confirmed to Republica on Tuesday. 

The seminar was held on January 30 and 31, according to the official website of IJF, the International Judo Federation. Saroj has posted photos of Spain on Facebook, lending credence to the NJA claim. 

NJA had no knowledge about the duo´s participation in the seminar even after the completion of the IJF calendar event. The ´fraud´ came to the notice of NJA President Deepak Harsha Bajracharya during a meeting of the Judo Union of Asia (JUA) in Kuwait on February 5. Bajracharya is also vice-president of JUA.

“I was shocked when some delegates at the JUA meeting told me there were two participants at the seminar from Nepal. Upon further inquiries with Spain´s judo federation, I came to know that they were none other than Saroj and Devendra,” said Bajracharya.

“They not only participated without informing us but also used fake letter pads while corresponding with the Spanish judo federation. They even tampered with the signature of our general secretary, Ramesh Maharjan," said Bajracharya. 

“NJA will take stern action against them after holding an executive meeting," he said. "I just returned from Kuwait a couple of days ago and have not been able to call the meeting since I am busy with my son´s wedding scheduled for February 16.” 

According to Bajracharya, NJA will also inform the National Sports Council about the fraud. “We will set up an inquiry and take action against whoever is guilty. Any official from NJA found to be involved won´t be spared either.” 

General Secretary Maharjan for his part claimed that he has not signed any document for anyone´s participation in the seminar in Spain. “International participation of any kind must be approved through a board meeting," he said, adding," The board never had discussions about participation in the seminar, so there was no question of me signing the recommendation letter.” 

This is not the first time Saroj Maharjan has been found playing fast and loose with sporting regulations. He had controversially participated in the 17th Asian Games held in Incheon, South Korea, a couple of months ago although he was not in the national team. 

He also participated in the Judo World Championship held in Russia last year, to the cost of genuine contender Khem Thapa of Armed Police Force. Thapa had defeated Saroj to claim the gold medal during the Lumbini National Championship - the latest national championship - in which Saroj came third. 

Saroj played in the World Championship twice because of the influence he exercised. He was a gold medalist in the 2011 South Asian Judo Championship but failed to defend his title during the last edition of the tournament held in Kathmandu about a year ago.

Devendra Karmacharya is a former judo player and has been associated with the NJA as a volunteer coach since a decade.

Published on: 11 February 2015 | Republica