A vibrant boat race competition was successfully organized on Tuesday under the ongoing 27th Pokhara Street Festival, being held by the Restaurant and Bar Association Nepal (REBAN) Pokhara. The competition added a thrilling sporting dimension to the festival, drawing large crowds of spectators along the scenic Fewa Lake shoreline. Participants competed in two categories, Open and Institutional, with teams showcasing teamwork, strength, and coordination in a friendly yet competitive atmosphere.
Open Category Winners
In the Open Category, the team comprising Hemanta Rai, Bibash Bhandari, and Anish Pariyar secured first place. The second position was claimed by the team of Sajesh Kansaju, Raj Tamang, and Rajkumar Tamang, while Kumar Jalari, Ganesh Jalari, and Krishna Jalari finished in third place. The intense races and close finishes kept spectators engaged, making the competition one of the highlights of the day’s festival activities.
Institutional Category Results
Under the Institutional Category, the team representing the Fewa Boat Entrepreneurs’ Organization, consisting of Rudra Bhujel, Dhan Bahadur Pariyar, and Bipin Gurung, claimed first place. The second position went to the team of Krishna Acharya, Hari Bhujel, and Tirtharaj Subedi representing TAN Gandaki, while the team of Bikash Kandel, Rabi Prasad Acharya, and Shyam Lamichhane from the Nepal Tourism Transport Entrepreneurs Association secured third place.
Traditional Prizes and Special Recognition
In keeping with local traditions, the first-place teams were awarded a goat, the second-place teams received a young male goat, and the third-place teams were presented with a rooster as prizes. Additionally, a women-inclusive team representing TEWAN was honored with a special prize of NPR 5,000, sponsored by Tokla Tea, in recognition of their enthusiastic participation and encouragement of women’s involvement in sports and tourism-related activities.
Award Distribution Ceremony
The prizes were distributed during a formal ceremony attended by key personalities including Maniram Lamichhane, Chief of Nepal Tourism Board Gandaki Province; Bishnu Bhattarai, Ward Chairperson of Pokhara Metropolitan City–6; Bishowraj Paudel, President of REBAN Pokhara; Basanta Gautam, Festival Coordinator; and Suman Bhattarai, Sports Program Coordinator. Alongside the boat race, the tug-of-war competition also commenced on Tuesday, adding more excitement to the festival’s sports segment.
Large Crowd on Lhosar Day
With the celebration coinciding with Tamu Lhosar, a major cultural festival of the Gurung community, the street festival witnessed a massive turnout of visitors and spectators. The festive mood, combined with cultural performances, food stalls, and sporting events, created a lively and colorful atmosphere around the festival venue. The Pokhara Street Festival continues to offer a blend of culture, cuisine, and sports, making it one of the most anticipated tourism and entertainment events in the Gandaki Province.
