BAJURA: Local bodies, civil society and other institutions on Thursday felicitated Punam Rawal who recently won medals in the first India Open International Boxing Tournament, in Bajura district.

Rawal — a Nepal Army servicewoman — had won bronze medal, her first international medal in the boxing tournament held in New Delhi, India from January 28 to February 1, 2018.

During the occasion, Badimalika Municipality, Malika Higher Secondary School, Youth Council, Badminton Association, and Red Cross Society-Bajura, felicitated Rawal with medal and cash, informed Lok Bahadur Chhettri, Chief District Officer of Bajura.

Rawal was honoured for her role in enhancing the reputation of the district and country at the international level, according to Kabita Bista, Deputy Mayor of the municipality.

A permanent resident of Badimalika Municipality-8, Rawal bagged bronze in 64 kg event after losing to Indian boxer Basumatary Pwilao in the semi-finals.

In the programme, Rawal who refrained from speaking officially, expressed her happiness for the love and harmony shown by the locals of the district. She stressed that her success was possible due to Nepal Army and her family members.

Rawal reminisced that in her initial boxing days in Bajura, she was oppressed for being a woman boxer. However, she says that it has all changed now. Locals are honoured of her achievements.

In the same note, Narendra Kumar Rokaya, Chief of Coordination Committee thanked Rawal for being able to achieve success and make an international mark through basic training, limited infrastructure, and sporting materials.