Sunsari, April 25

Olympians and star athletes interacted with students of different schools of Koshi Province at the School to Olympic programme here on Tuesday.

Nepal Olympian Association President Deepak Bista - the four-time South Asian Games gold medallist and two-time Asian Games bronze medal winner - led the team of seven Olympians and star athletes of Koshi Province in the programme, the third event of the series after Sudurpashchim and Karnali. Legendary marathon runner and four-time Olympic Games participant Baikuntha Manandhar, athletes Pushpa Raj Ojha, Menuka Raut, Dambar Kunwar and Narendra Poma, and shooter Tika Ram Shrestha along with Asian Games bronze medallist karateka Sita Rai, former national football team skipper Hari Khadka and former national volleyball team captain Bharat Shah shared their stories and experience with the students in a programme moderated by sports journalist Prakash Timalsina.

'The main objective of the programme is to lure students to sports and inspire them to pursue their dreams of becoming a champion athlete in future,' said NOA President Bista. Olympian from Koshi Province, athlete Pushpa Raj Ojha asked the aspiring players to put in hard efforts in training to become a champion athlete.

Koshi Province Sports Development Board Member Secretary Hansha Raj Wagle thanked the Olympians and other members of the team for their invaluable time.

NOA President Bista and other officials presented the memento to Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki at his office after the completion of the programme. Earlier, Itahari Sub-Metropolitan City Mayor Hem Karna Poudel inaugurated the School to Olympic programme. The Olympians and athletes were felicitated by the Koshi Province Sports Development Board during the opening ceremony of the President Running Shield selection tournament at the Itahari Stadium. Minister for Social Development Buddha Kumar Rajbhandari handed over appreciation letters to the star players.

A version of this article appears in the print on April 26, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.