Kathmandu, November 25

Nepal Equestrian Association is organising the fifth National Equestrian Championship at the local Tundikhel grounds next month.

The championship features four events — Tent Pegging, Show Jump, High Jump and 6-cross bar jump. Around 25 riders, mostly from Nepali Army, will take part in the tournament slated for December 1, informed the organisers at a press meet today.

NEA President Rabi Rajkarnikar and Sr Brand Manager of Jawalakhel Group of Industries Gavin Leicester exchanged the memorandum of understanding for the sponsorship of the tournament. As per the one-year agreement, JGI will provide the organisers with Rs 1.2 million and in return Warsteiner will be the main sponsor of the event.

The Himalayan Times is the official media partner of the tournament supported by National Sports Council, Nepal Cavalry, Turkish Airlines, Toyota and Radisson. NEA President Rajkarnikar thanked the sponsors and partners for their generous support for the championship.

“This is just not the championship as we are celebrating it as a carnival,” said Rajkarnikar. “We are trying to make the event inclusive from this edition and hopefully it will be a pragmatic one. We are lucky to have the support from our sponsors as we are trying to take this event to regional level in the years to come,” added Rajkarnikar. “After the tournament, we will apply for international affiliation with International Equestrian Federation and get the recognition from Nepal Olympic Committee,” he added.

Sr Brand Manager of JGI Leicester said the company was involved in many Corporate Social Responsibility activities. “We want to make the event bigger by involving more youths in the days to come,” he said.

General Manager of Turkish Airlines Abdullah Tuncer Kececi said his company’s involvement in the championship was to give a message to the youths. “We are trying to give a message that we are not just airlines but we also support events that include youths. Hopefully we can connect Nepali players to international events in future and we will keep supporting the event as much as we can,” Kececi added.

Senior Vice-president of NEA, Victor Rana said Nepali riders lacked exposure despite having talent. “We want to take a big stride through this championship and we are also planning to host South Asian level event in Nepal in a couple of years,” he added.

The top three riders in three categories — Tent Pegging, Show Jump and High Jump — will receive Rs 20,000, Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively, while three women riders in 6-cross bar jump will be awarded with Rs 10,000 each. “As we don’t have much competition in this category, we want to encourage other riders to come into the sport,” said NEA General Secretary Balaram Shrestha. The winner in women’s show jump event will get Rs 15,000, while the next two best riders will earn Rs 10,000 each.