Kathmandu, July 18 -- It was supposed to be a landmark moment for Nepali esports as three teams qualified for the 20th Asian Games through regional tournaments in PUBG Mobile, Honor of Kings and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang in June. But despite securing places, they are set to miss the Asian Games due to a dispute between two rival esports associations.

"There shall be only one sports association for each sport," Section 22[2(A)] of the National Sports Development Act, 2077, states. However, there are two national associations for esports in the country-Esports Association of Nepal (ESAN) and Nepal Esports Association (NESA).

ESAN is recognised by the NSC while NESA is recognised by esports' international bodies-International Esports Feder...