The capital of Karnali Province, Birendranagar, is set to host a national-level athletic event titled the ‘Madan Bhandari Cup Open Road Race’ on Jestha 24 (June 7, 2025). The race will feature both male and female participants in two main categories: an open 10-kilometer race and a 5-kilometer race for school children under 10 and 18 years of age.
Madan Bhandari Cup Open Road Race
The event is being organized by the Madan Bhandari Sports Academy, with the slogan “Sports for All”, aiming to promote physical fitness and uncover emerging athletic talent. The announcement was made during a press conference held in Birendranagar today, where Tej Bikram Basnet, the program coordinator of the academy, shared key details of the upcoming race.
According to Basnet, the 10-kilometer open road race will offer cash prizes for the top five finishers. The first-place winner will receive NPR 50,000, while the second-place and third-place winners will be awarded NPR 30,000 and NPR 20,000, respectively. The fourth-place finisher will receive NPR 15,000, and the fifth-place winner will be awarded NPR 10,000.
Similarly, in the 5-kilometer school-level race for children under 10 and 18, the first-place winner will receive NPR 20,000, followed by NPR 15,000 for second place, NPR 10,000 for third place, NPR 5,000 for fourth place, and NPR 3,000 for fifth place.
Basnet emphasized that the main goal of the event is to provide a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents while encouraging broader community participation in sports. “Through this competition, we aim to foster a sports culture in Karnali Province and inspire the youth to pursue athletics professionally,” he said.
The event is expected to draw participants from various districts across Nepal, making it a key attraction in the region’s sports calendar. Organizers also aim to use the event as an opportunity to advocate for better infrastructure and policy support for athletics in the Karnali region.
With the increasing interest in athletics at the grassroots level and the growing participation of youth in competitive sports, the Madan Bhandari Cup Open Road Race is anticipated to play a vital role in shaping the future of sports in western Nepal.
