Nepali rafters eye a medal in Asian event

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Aug 28 : Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) rafting coach Major Rajiv Chand has been brimming with hopes that his team of rafters will win at least one medal at the Asian Rafting Championship, slated from 16th to 25th September at the Beas River of Manali, India.

Speaking to The Rising Nepal Daily, Major Chand said his team has aimed to win a medal at the Asian Rafting Championship in India in their maiden participation in the Asian Rafting Championship.

“The preparation for the Championship was smooth and all the players had given their best during month-long preparation at Pokhara’s different locations. We will travel to India to win a medal at the championship.  This tournament is not an Asian event, as rafters from France and Turkey are also taking part,” Major Chand said.

“We are one of the title contenders in the championship in Asia. Despite France and Turkey also taking part in the event, I am confident of winning a medal in India. Our main rivals in the championship are France, Turkey, and India but we will beat them to bag a medal for Nepal,” Coach Major 

Chand added.

Major Chand informed that the Nepalese rafting players have more potential and that Nepali rafting has a huge scope in the international arena. Though they are well equipped to perform better than many other participants, the domestic sports governing body, the National Sports Council (NSC), has not recognised rafting as a medal-winning event for Nepal, Chand lamented.

 “We will reach the main championship venue one week ahead to make proper preparation. All of my players are excited for the much-awaited battle in the water,” Coach Major Chand added.

The 6th edition National Rafting Champion winner Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) rafting team is in the final preparations for the upcoming Asian Rafting Championship.

The Army men will represent Nepal at the Asian Rafting Championship. The team booked their ticket to Manali, India for the Asian Championship for the first time after they claimed the 6th National Rafting Championship title held 24th to 26th February 2022 at the Trishuli River in Nepal.

This is the first time the Nepalese team has taken part in the Asian Rafting Championship which is organized every two years. Altogether, 25 countries including host India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China, France, Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Bangladesh are taking part in the event.

The championship, with about 300 points including the knock-out stage, will contain 120 points while the Slam event will contain 100 points and the downriver will contain 80 points. The highest points earner out of 300 points, will win the title.

The army team has been preparing for the Asian Rafting Championship for the last 35 days at Fewa Lake and Upper Seti river. After finishing their training at Pokhara, the team will return to the Trishuli River for the final phase of training.

Major Chand is heading close-camp as a coach of the team with four top line-up players including Sagar Ale Magar, Bhuwan K.C. Chandra Singh Thakuri, and Suresh Dhami. The coach has included Sher Bahadur Gurung as an alternative player for the Asian Rafting Championship.