Local sports tradition gets continuation in Myagdi

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT,Myagdi, Oct. 16: ‘Thelo Phalne’, a tradition that started 800 years ago during the reign of Thapa King, has been continuously upheld by the people of Takam in Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality-7, Myagdi. 

The local community has kept alive the tradition that takes place during the Bada Dashain festival on the day of Maha Nawami. Each year, a winner is announced for the competition. This year, Ashok Khatri, 35, from Ward No. 7 who is also the ward chairperson, emerged victorious for the ninth time. Khatri won the title by throwing an 8.5-kilogram iron Thelo the farthest among 32 participants on Friday. According to Rim Prakash Thapa, a member of the Takamkot Puja Management Committee, no one has ever won the competition nine times.

He informed that 32 people from Takam and nearby villages participated in the competition. He said, "The Thelo Phalne competition in Takamkot, considered an important tradition in western Myagdi, honours the winners with the title. There is a tradition of honouring the winner with a garland and a ceremonial turban along with the musical accompaniment."