Himal Press 
POKHARA: The first even Nepal-China Friendship Dragon Boat Race Festival kicked off in Pokhara on Friday. Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation inaugurated the the two-day festival at Camping Ground area of Fewa Lake.
A total of eight teams, including participants from China, Singapore, and Nepal, are participating in the festival organized jointly by the Nepal Tourism Board, the Chinese Embassy in Nepal, and Pokhara Metropolitan City. Four Nepali teams – Nepal Rafting and Canoeing Association (NRCA), China Nepal Friendship Association, Fewa Boat Entrepreneurs Association, and Pokhara Metropolitan City – are participating in the festival. Each team comprises of 12 players who row the boat on the beat of the Chinese drum.
The competition has two events of 200 meters and 500 meters.
This is the first instance that the dragon board race festival has been organized in South Asia. It, however, has already been held in Australia. The Singaporean team, which won the race in Australia, is also participating in the boat race in Pokhara.
The winning team will get a cash price of Rs 550,000. In total, the organizers are giving away Rs 3 million in prize money. Cultural performances from various countries, including Nepal, will also be showcased during the festival.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister Kirati expressed the belief that competitions like this would boost tourism and foster stronger cultural unity between the two nations.
The Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya, and CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board Dr Dhananjay Regmi, and other dignitaries, expressed their confidence that the festival would significantly contribute to Pokhara’s tourism industry.
A large number of spectators have gathered at the event venue to witness the first-ever dragon boat race in South Asia.
