Pokhara to host International Mountain Cross-country Championship on Nov 25

KASKI, Nov 19: The Nepal-China International Mountain Cross-country Championship is to take place in Pokhara this November 25. Ten teams each from Nepal and China will compete in the team events of the Championship with the theme, 'Race for Common Prosperity'.

The objective of the Championship is to establish Pokhara as a sports city by promoting tourism in the 'Lake City'.

It is said 600 athletes will participate in the Championship to be jointly organized by the Embassy of China in Nepal, the Pokhara Metropolitan City and Nepal Tourism Board. Yunan Mountaineering and Outdoor Sports Association and the Hotel Association Pokhara are the co-organizers. 

One hundred and four persons, including 78 athletes and officials, are arriving in Pokhara on a chartered flight from Yunan province of China on November 23 for the Championship. Similarly, Chinese health professionals and technicians will also be coming to facilitate the Championship.

Bishwa Shankar Palikhe, the coordinator of the Championship, said competitions will be held under four departments- team, individual, happy run and student race. He said 20 groups will compete in the team event.

The winner will be decided after the contenders cover 40 kilometres distance including running, cycling and boat race. 

The winner of the team event will bag a cash prize of Rs 360,000, the first runner-up will receive Rs 288,000, the second runner-up Rs 216,000 and the third runner-up Rs 144,000, according to the organizers.