Second International Dragon Boat Race begins in Pokhara

POKHARA, Dec 30:The Second International Dragon Boat Race Competition 2024 has started on Sunday at Phewa Lake in the tourism capital Pokhara.

A total of 20 groups are participating in this second edition of the competition. 11 groups representing different regions of Nepal, eight representing different provinces of China, and one group from Singapore are participating in the competition. The first round of matches in the 200-meter and 500-meter categories were held on Sunday.

The semi-final and final round matches will be held on Monday. The tournament is organized by the Gandaki Provincial Government, Pokhara Metropolitan City, the Chinese Embassy in Nepal, and the Nepal Tourism Board. The Nepal Dragon Boat Association, Pokhara Tourism Council, and the Overseas Chinese Association Pokhara are the co-organizers of the competition.

The competition features 11 Nepalese teams, including Gandaki, Bagmati, Karnali, Tribhuvan Army Club, Dragon Boat Gandaki, Begnas Team, Rupatal Team, and the Nepal Rafting Agencies Association (NARA).

The winner of the competition will be awarded $5,000, the runner-up $2,000, and the third-place winner $1,200. Other participating groups will receive a $500 incentive.

Nepal's Minister for Youth and Sports, Tejulal Chaudhary, inaugurated the competition, stating that such events will not only boost tourism but also assist maintain cordial relations between Nepali and Chinese inhabitants. "Sports bind the country and the community in a thread of unity," according to him.

Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya stated that the competition will give a new dimension to Nepal-China relations and assist identify new opportunities for water sports in Pokhara. He stated that it will improve Pokhara's lakes as tourist attractions and promote tourism in Pokhara and its vicinity. "The fairs and festivals held here have helped establish Pokhara as a tourism capital," according to him. "Such international sports activities have helped promote Pokhara as a tourist destination even abroad."

The classic dragon board race, popular in China, has been held as a formal tournament in Pokhara since last year. Last year, international and national events were held at Pokhara's Phewa and Begnas lakes.