National Games Diary: The Unfiltered Version
Started writing this on my phone notes app during the games. My editor will hate this. Don't care anymore.
April 8, 2025 - 11:37 PM
Just got to Surkhet. Hotel room smells like someone tried to cover up damp with cheap air freshener. WiFi password is "champions2025" which is cute.
My editor said "make it inspirational." I said "sure" while thinking about the last time I felt inspirational. Probably when I found my missing sock.
Secret thought: I hope the food is good. Low expectations though.
April 9, 2025 - 2:15 PM
Okay so the entire town is painting itself. Like, every building. Even the ones that look like they might fall over.
Met a tea guy named Bikram. He said something that made me put my notebook down:
"You people come, take photos, write stories, then leave. We live here. This games? For us it's like... proof we exist."
Damn. That hit harder than it should have.
I bought three cups of chiya from him just to keep talking. Now I have to pee.
April 10, 2025 - 4:30 PM
Construction guy at the stadium looks like death warmed over. Said his team hasn't seen their families in weeks.
"Monsoon tried to screw us but we're not quitting. Karnali doesn't quit."
I wrote that down wrong three times because my hands were shaking. Too much chiya probably.
April 11, 2025 - 11:20 AM
Found the traditional games section by accident. Was looking for bathroom.
Little old lady destroying everyone at Dandi Biyo. City athletes can't even hold the sticks right.
She's laughing, teaching them, being patient. This is the story. Not the stupid football match everyone's obsessed with.
Tried it myself. Almost took out a reporter from Kantipur. Not my finest moment.
April 12, 2025 - 7:45 PM
Met a weightlifter from Janakpur staying with a local family. Said the aunty feeds him like he's her son.
"I've gained three kilos. My coach will kill me."
But he's smiling. Actually smiling.
April 13, 2025 - 3:10 PM
Runner girl from Humla. Family sold their goat for her shoes.
She won her heat. Called her dad. He cried so hard she couldn't understand him.
I'm writing this in the media room trying not to make eye contact with anyone.
Might have teared up a bit. Don't tell anyone.
April 14, 2025 - 10:05 PM
Local kid won the marathon. The sound... I can't describe the sound the crowd made.
It wasn't cheering. It was... relief? Pride? Something deeper.
Grown men hugging. Women crying. Strangers high-fiving.
My press pass fell off. Again. Third time this week.
Things That Went Wrong (Because Life Isn't Perfect)
- Altitude sickness hit the flatland athletes hard
- Language barriers led to some hilarious charades
- Scoring system crashed during wrestling finals
- I called the mayor "sir" but he's actually "honorable" something
- My hotel shower only has two settings: ice or lava
- I've eaten so much daal bhat I might turn into a lentil
April 15, 2025 - 1:25 AM
Packing up to leave. Found glitter in my bag from the opening ceremony.
Bikram the tea guy hugged me goodbye. Said "write the real story."
So I'm trying.
This wasn't about sports. Not really. It was about a place saying "we're here, we matter, and we can do amazing things."
The medals will tarnish. The records will be broken. But that feeling in the air? That stays.
I might come back next year. Just for the chiya.
About This Mess
I'm Aayush. I write about sports but really I just like people's stories. This is my actual diary from the games. My editor will probably make me rewrite it properly. But this is the real version.
If you were there, tell me what I missed. Or if you saw me drop my press pass (again).
PS: The samosas here are actually amazing. 10/10 would recommend.
