Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, July 4:

Himalayan Professional Kickboxing Club is organising the Kingfisher King of the Ring Professional Kickboxing Championship on July 22 in Kathmandu. The championship is divided into three rounds and will feature only Under-70kg category. The second round (quarter-finals) will be held on August 26 while the final round of the championship is slated for September 30, said the organisers at a press meet today. “We have made the schedules in such a way that the boxers qualifying for the next round will get ample time to prepare,” said tournament coordinator Mohan Bista. He also informed that the winner of the championship will get a chance to fight at the K1 Professional Kickboxing Championship to be held in Japan in November. The organisers have expected 50 boxers from Kathmandu, Kavre, Chitwan, Dharan and Pokhara to fight in the first round. Top eight will make it to the round of last eight. “We are taking time to make the championship a success and bring out a quality boxer, who will be able to give tough fight in overseas tournaments,” said Bista.

The winner of the championship will be richer with Rs 100,000 while the runners-up will get Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000 respectively. However, the participants do not have to return empty handed as the organisers have planned to give at least Rs 5,000 each to all the boxers. “The boxers qualifying for the second and the final rounds will get more money,” said Bista. The registration charge is Rs 500. According to Bista, so far 15 participants have registered their names. Meanwhile, the organisers formed a nine-member advisory committee has been formed. The members are Nabin Chandra Shrestha, Kapil Dev Thapa, Gyanendra Shrestha, Rameshwor Ghimire, AD Lama, Milan Gurung, Sujan Karki, Dev Prasad Kapri and Bijay Deuja.

Other committees formed include Mohan Bista (Players and Fight Management), Bidhya Marasini (Jury); Laxmi Prakash Poudel (Press and Publicity); Shashi Khadka (Event Management); and Rabi Rana (Finance Management).