LALITPUR: A four-member team on Monday left for Japan to participate in Hokkaido Marathon.

Athletes Hom Lal Shrestha and Rajpura Pachhai will compete in the marathon on August 22 and the duo will also undergo training during their week-long stay in Japan, informed the Nepal Olympic Committee.

The Nepali team’s tour is part of the sports exchange programme signed between NOC and Tamura City Fukushima.

Coach Dhani Ram Chaudhary and NOC staff Ayush Joshi accompanied the athletes to Japan.

NOC President Jeevan Ram Shrestha bade farewell to the team amidst a ceremony which was also attended by NOC Member Nilendra Raj Shrestha and Executive Secretary Sujan Lal Shrestha.