KATHMANDU, JUNE 23
The Nepal-China Friendship Dragon Boat Race Festival 2023 kicked off at the picturesque city of Pokhara today.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the festival, Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Sudhan Kirati expressed his belief that this cultural exchange programme would not only strengthen the ties between the two countries but is also expected to attract a greater number of Chinese tourists to Nepal.
He emphasised the significance of such collaborative endeavours, asserting that they have the potential to elevate the bilateral relations to unprecedented heights.
Ambassador of China to Nepal Chen Song acknowledged the longstanding economic, social, and cultural bonds shared between Nepal and China. He expressed optimism that this festival would foster stronger relations between the two countries at a people-to-people level and contribute significantly to the promotion of tourism in Nepal.
Dhananjay Regmi, CEO of Nepal Tourism Board, highlighted the importance of China as a major tourism market for Nepal. He said he hoped that the event, being organised for the first time in Nepal, would add new dimensions to the country's tourism sector and further enhance tourism prospects in Pokhara.
Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City Dhanraj Acharya emphasised the festival's role in introducing innovative tourism products in Pokhara.
He also expressed his commitment in making the event a regular occurrence, rather than a one-time happening.
The competition will witness the participation of four Nepali teams and four Chinese teams, totalling 160 participants from seven provinces of Nepal and China.
Among the participating teams are the Sichuan Dragon Boat Team, Youth Boat Team, SC Dragon Boat Team (Singapore-China), China-Nepal Friendship Dragon Boat Team Pokhara, Nepal Association of Rafting Agents (NARA) Dragon Boat Team Nepal, Fewa Dragon Boat Team Nepal, and Pokhara Metropolitan Dragon Boat Team.
The competition comprised a 200-metre race on the first day and will include a 500-metre race on the second day, with eight races in total.
The victorious teams will be awarded a cash prize of two million rupees, along with medals and certificates.
This festival, a joint initiative by several organisations, including the Nepal Tourism Board, Embassy of China in Nepal, Pokhara Metropolitan City, Pokhara Tourism Council, China Overseas Association, Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), Nepal Association of Rafting Agents (NARA), and Rafting and Canoeing Association of Nepal, aims to promote cultural and adventure tourism.
A version of this article appears in the print on June 24, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
