Football match for animal conservation to be held in Manang

Kathmandu, August 28: BIOCOS Nepal (Biodiversity Conservation Society Nepal) and Ant Foundation Nepal have jointly brought this 'Manang Friendship Match for Conservation; together for Yak and Snow leopard with support from Wid and Free Foundation, Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, WWF Nepal, National Sports Council, Rural Municipalition of Manang District.

Snow leopard is endemic to Asia and only 2,710 to 3,383 adult individuals are estimated to have remained in the wild. In Nepal, the population of snow leopards remains between 350-500 individuals. These leopards are threatened by poaching and retaliatory killing. Yak are companions of people of Himalayas. Both are the identity of the Himalayas. This friendship match aims to bring youths of Manang to the football ground to play with celebrities to spread awareness regarding the conservation of yak and snow leopards.

This Friendship Match will be conducted in Timang Football ground (2600m altitude from mean sea level). Pisang Football ground (3100m) and Mungji Football Ground (3200m) of Manang district, Annapurna Conservation Area. 18 celebrities including Prasant Tamrakar, Hari Khadka, Anil Gurung, Niru Thapa, Asmita Ranpal. Sita Tamang. Upendra Man Singh, Aanchal Sharma, Trichu Rai, Naren Khaka, Aaryan Adhikari. Sticholia Pradhum (Miss Nepal World 2023), Sophiya Bhujel (Miss Universe Nepal 2022). Samarpan J Karki (Mr. Nepal 2023), Jems Pradhan, Presca Udas, Trichu Rai, will be participating as Himalayan Snow Leopard.

Team Kanjisura players: Munindra Jung Gurung, Lokendra Ghale, Dil Bahadur Gurung, Lopsang Lama, Sabin Shrestha, Mangal Dev Gurung, Lil Bahadur Gurung, Laxman Gauli, Dhan Bahadur Gauchan, Kaile Gurung, Khadga Jung Gurung, Ganesh Ghale, Binod Lama, Dipendra Godar. Dawa Chhiring Lama & Mingmar Dolma Lama.

Team Pisang players: Lundhup Gurung. Palden Gurung, Japes Gurung, Bijendra Gurung, Lakpa Gurung, Ram Bahadur Gurung, Karma Chippy, Arjun Gurung, Naresh Gurung, Karma Ngudup, Lakpa Tashi Lama Raju Gurung, Dorjee Gurung, Karma Lama & Mingmar Gurung.

Team Manang players: Sonam Lama, Pema Tsering Gurung, Karma Tashi Gurung, Kamsun Lama, Mukhiya Thapa, Dorje Gurung, Depak Gurung, Mukhiya Rai, Karma Wangel Gurun Tenzen Sherap Lama, Jamyang Gurung, Mukhiya Gurung, Sonam Gurung & Jivan Gurung are the regional teams represented by youths from Manang, Pisang, Chame municipalities of Manang district. The event will take place from 10-15 September, 2023. The football matches will be held on 11 September in Timang. 12 September in Pisang and 13 September in Manang. It will be conducted among Team Himalayan Snow Leopard (which will be represented by celebrities), Kajisara Yak (Youths of Chame municipality, Manang), Pisang Yak (Youths of Pisang) and Manang Yak (youths of Manang).