Nepal's first Olympian Silwal feted in UK

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: The association of Non-Residential Nepalis in United Kingdom (NRN-UK) honoured one of the first Nepali Olympians Bhupendra Silwal amid a programme today.

NRN-UK, who invited Silwal to see the 2012 Olympic Games in London, provided Silwal with Rs 214,000 as his travel expenses. There was a virtual rain of cash once NRN-UK President Kul Prasad Acharya announced an additional Rs 100,000.

Sahara UK President Nabin Gurung and International Nepali Taekwondo Association (INTA) President Namber Jung Rai announced Rs 50,000 each. Parbat Samaj and Mona-UK along with Proprietor of Everest Inc and Advisor of NRN-UK Pashupati Bhandari provided Silwal with Rs 20,000 apiece. Gorkha.com’s Nina Gurung, Milan Gurung and NRN-UK Advisor Binod Gyawali gave Rs 6,500 each.

Meanwhile, Reading Nepalese Community handed over Rs 20,000 each to the five players — Prasiddha Jung Shah, Shreya Dhital, Pramila Rijal, Tilak Ram Tharu and Sneh Rajya Laxmi Rana — who participated in the London Olympics. Nepal’s Olympics campaign ended on Saturday with national record from swimmer Shreya and personal best performances from swimmer Prasiddha and athlete Tilak Ram.

Visibly delighted Silwal said the honour he received in the UK was unforgettable. “I had never thought that I would come to England and see the Olympics in my life again,” he said. Silwal had participated in the 1958 Asian Games and 1964 Olympics, both in Tokyo.

NRN-UK President Acharya said they were honoured to get the opportunity to invite Silwal. Nepal’s Ambassador to UK Suresh Chalise thanked the Nepali community for organising the programme. Nepal Olympic Committee President Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan said the whole Nepali team was happy with the warm welcome in London.