Nepal-China Friendship ‘Dragon Boat Race’ Festival begins in Pokhara (Photo Feature)

Pokhara: Nepal-China Friendship Dragon Boat has been inaugurated in the Lakeside, Pokhara.

Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation of Nepal Sudan Kirati and Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song jointly inaugurated the festival on Friday.

Nepal-based Chinese Embassy, Pokhara Metropolitan City, and Nepal Tourism Board jointly organized the event. Pokhara Tourism Council and China Overseas Association are part of the co-organizers of the event. A total of eight teams participated in the race. Four teams from Nepal, Three from China, and One from Singapore are competing in the event.

It has been claimed that it was the first festival in South Asia to be organized outside China. A total of 60 people, from all seven provinces, China and Singapore, participated in the competition. The team of Nepal Rafting Agencies Association (NARA), Phewa Boat Dealers Association, Begnas Boat Dealers Association, and Pokhara Metropolis have represented Nepal in the race.

The Referee Group announced the results of the 500m Race. The top four are qualified for tomorrow’s Semi-Final. Two Nepali and Two Chinese Teams have reached the semifinals.

The boats that have been used in the race have been brought from China. Other materials were also brought from China. Those materials entered Nepal through the Kerung checkpoint.

The total prize money for the festival is 30 lakh rupees. The winner will receive a cash prize of 5 lakhs 50 thousand rupees.

(Glimpses of the inauguration of the event)

(Photos Courtesy: Saroj Basnet)