Nepal Insurance Authority (NIA) has introduced a sports insurance policy to safeguard athletes and sports personnel, according to the National Sports Council. While some major competitions had previously started insuring players, there was a lack of a clear policy outlining insurance coverage.
The newly-issued insurance policy categorizes sports into low risk, normal risk, and high-risk activities. Low-risk sports, such as table tennis, soft tennis, tennis, shooting, golf, bodybuilding, and squash, are covered. Common risk sports include Badminton, Cricket, Hockey, Volleyball, Athletics, Fencing, Judo, Gymnastics, Handball, Basketball, Swimming, Sepakatacro, Weightlifting, Triathlon, Kabaddi, Khokho, Ring Wrestling, Karate, Taekwondo, Usu, Boxing, Full Contact Karate, Wrestling, and cycling.
Risky sports, including motor and motorcycling sports, rafting and canoeing, pentathlon, bungee jumping and canyoning, Muay Thai, mountain running, ice hockey and alpine sports, water sports, rugby, paragliding, and football, are also covered by the insurance policy.
Furthermore, the policy outlines compensation provisions in case of death either immediately or within 183 days due to accidents. It includes coverage for body management expenses, funeral expenses, and provisions related to permanent total disability, among other benefits.
