Nepalese create history at St. Andrews

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Oct. 4: Binod Shrestha and Prem Sachdev effected a coup for Nepal by being the first golfers to win any golfing events at the Mecca of world golf—St. Andrews.

Nepal created history in the 16-year history of Famous Grouse International Shotgun Foursomes outside Britain to win the amateur team cup at St Andrew.

The Nepalese duo won The Famous Grouse International Shotgun Foursomes with a score of 74 points and scored a prestigious win for Nepal at the famous St, Andrew where currently the British Open is being played and none other than Tiger Woods is hogging the limelight there.

Action Asia Mountain Bike Race to be held from Nov 10

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Oct. 4: The Action Asia Mountain Bike Race Series 2001, which will have three races and will be held on November 10, 18 and 24 in the Kathmandu Valley will focus to enhance the image of Nepal as adventure tourist destination.

To be participated by about 1000 bikers of every sorts, the upscale mountain bike race event will have special feature: it will be televised in major channels of the world including ESPN and National Geographic Channel and its Adventure one Channel along with other TV channels. This would make it the most publicized sports event in Nepal’s history.

So far the races are concerned, the first race, with 23.5 kilometers stretch, will start from Raniban and end at Kakani. The second race will be Nagarkot to Sankhu (about 14 kilometers) and third will be from Lakuri Bhanjyang to Lubhu, the Race Director Peter Steward said.

Highlighting the importance of the race series, Nepal Tourism Board’s Chief Executive Officer Pradeep Raj Pandey said that Nepal has always been associated with the adventure tourism.

The race is very timely as Nepal has been in need for lots of publicity to promote itself for its adventure tourism.

Pandey further hoped that the Himalayan Mountain Bike race series would be a permanent fixture in Nepal’s tourism calender.

Australian envoy to Nepal Crispin Conroy said that such international races are extremely important for Nepal to promote its tourism and the race will help Nepal attract more visitors.

Conroy, one of the members of the race committee, said that he not only participate in the race but would hope to win it. Referring the popularity of mountain bike race in his native country, Conroy said that the race has the Australian flavor.

Meanwhile, Kent Davidson, the General Manager of Radisson said that the spectacular event would showcase Nepal as adventure tourist destination as well as biking talent of Nepal. The media attention would also be one of the highlights of the event, Davidson added.

On the press launch occasion, Sita Pandey, Media coordinator said that the event should also promote women’s participation.

Little Sanjay Stewart inaugurated the press launch meet by riding a bike. Six bikers also rode the mountain bikes at the meet hall. (To know more about HMB race browse- www.bikingnepal.com).