KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 22

Lt Col Prakash Thapa won the title of the Mithila Nagari Army Golf Club Inauguration Cup at the newly-built golf course in Bardibas today.

Thapa accumulated 44 points to finish first in the overall category. Brig Gen Subash Jung Thapa came second with 42 points. Kabi Thapa claimed the gross section trophy with 34 points, while Gita Gurung emerged victorious in the women's section with 23 points. Likewise, Tulsi Ram Limbu won the senior section title.

Lt Col Nischaya Jung Rayamajhi claimed the most birdies award with three birdies, while Ritesh Tamang won the longest drive trophy. Bharat Tamang bagged the closest-to-the-pin award. A total of 84 golfers took part in the two-day tournament organised to inaugurate the Mithila Nagari Army Golf Club, the first golfing facility in Madhesh Province.

Chief of the Army Staff, Gen Ashok Raj Sigdel inaugurated the golf club and he also planted a tree on the club house premises. Gen Sigdel hit a couple of shots apart from taking a tour of the nine-hole course. Madhesh Province Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh and CoAS Gen Sigdel among others handed over trophies to the winners. Madhesh Province ministers Raj Kumar Lekhi, Pramod Kumar Jaiswal and Sakil Ali Miya along with secretaries, army officers, mayors, CDOs and government officials were present on the occasion.

The golf club was initiated by Mid-Eastern Division Commander Maj Gen Sudarshan Silwal, who is also an avid golfer. The course was built in eight months with the help of various units and sub-units of Mid-Eastern Division Headquarters.

'The purpose of the golf course is to produce champion golfers in the country and nurture them, apart from expanding Nepali Army's diplomatic relations, expanding people-Army relation, protecting environment of the region, expanding sports facilities in Madhesh Province, promoting tourism in the region, apart from preparing golfing facilities for the National Games to be held in the Madhesh Province two years later,' said the NA in a release. 'The golf club will also help in reviving Nepali Army's passion towards the sport, especially after the lone facility in Kathmandu was demolished due to the expansion of the Tribhuvan International Airport.'