Kathmandu [Nepal], August 3 – Former Mongolian Prime Minister and President of the Mongolian Chess Federation, Gombojavyn Zandanshatar held talks with Nepal’s Education and Sports Minister Sasmit Pokharel on Monday focusing on expanding bilateral cooperation and introducing chess more widely into school education.
During the courtesy meeting at the Ministry of Education and Sports in Singha Durbar, the two leaders reviewed the long-standing diplomatic ties between Nepal and Mongolia and highlighted similarities in their geography, culture and historical relations.
The discussions also centred on strengthening cooperation in education and sports with particular emphasis on promoting chess as a learning tool in schools. Pokharel said Nepal is moving towards integrating sports into school education and expressed interest in working with the Mongolian government and the Mongolian Chess Federation. He also proposed closer collaboration between the chess federations of the two countries.
Zandanshatar described chess as more than a competitive sport, calling it an educational tool that helps students develop critical thinking, decision-making and independent problem-solving skills. He shared Mongolia’s experience of incorporating chess into its school curriculum and said his country is prepared to support Nepal’s efforts to link chess with school education.
Both sides expressed optimism that cooperation in education and sports would further strengthen Nepal-Mongolia relations.
