Kayaking and rafting competition to be held on Kaligandaki river

Pokhara / Feb 9: A national-level rafting and kayaking competition will be held on the Kaligandaki river starting from this weekend. The competition is being organized jointly by the Gandaki Province Sports Council and Nepal Rafting and Canoeing Association.

The four-day competition will start on Saturday on the Kaligandaki river. The competition will cover a distance of 15 km from Jaljala in Myagdi to Maldhunga in Parbat. According to the organizers, the participants will compete in sprint, head-to-head, slalom and down river categories. The sprint event covers 250 meters, the head-to-head event is 350 meters, the slalom event is 450 meters and the drown river race will cover a distance of 15 km.

According to Neem Magar, technical director of the Nepal Rafting and Canoeing Association, departmental teams of Armed Police Force and the Nepalese Army will participate in the competition. Likewise, provincial teams will also participate. Magar said that the top three winners will get cash prizes of Rs 60,000, Rs 40,000, and Rs 20,000 respectively.

“Our aim is to promote adventure sports and attract tourists through a national-level rafting and kayaking competition on the Kaligandaki river,” stated Magar. He further mentioned that approximately 30-35 individuals will participate in the kayaking competition, while eight teams will compete in rafting.