Right2Run - Inter-school Athletic Competition

The Child-Friendly School (CFS) project by Right4Children organized an inter-school athletic competition on Saturday, themed “Sports for Holistic Development.” The event involved students from 12 schools in Machhapuchchhre Rural Municipality, Kaski, where the CFS project is being implemented.

The event began with an inauguration by the Acting CEO of Right4Children, Kriti Shrestha, and the Guest of Honor Gop Bahadur Adhikari, a national and international athlete from the Kaski district, by jointly signing on the banner. Mr Gop Bahadur had won a bronze medal in the 1500-meter race at the 6th SAARC Games in Dhaka in 1993. 

Other special guests included Bishnu Prasad Adhikari from the Education, Youth, and Sports Section of Machhapuchchhre Rural Municipality and Bignes Thapa from Kaski's District Sports Development Committee.

Around 50 students from 12 schools participated in the competition in four categories, boys senior/junior and girls senior/junior. 

Participants are warming up before the competition, led by Right4Children's sports teachers, Nitu Tamang and Padam Kumari Sunuwar.

Welcoming the students to the competition, Smritee Gurung, CFS Project Coordinator, said, “You are all winners already.” She expressed gratitude to all the teachers and principals who attended to cheer for, encourage, and support their students’ participation. 

The Guest of Honor, Gop Bahadur Adhikari, emphasized the importance of discipline and consuming healthy, nutritious foods for all sports, not just athletics. He highlighted the value of following the guidance of sports teachers. He encouraged the participating students to dream big, suggesting that one day they could represent the country internationally.

Bignes Thapa, an Executive Member of the District Sports Development Committee in Kaski, expressed his satisfaction with the coordination between Right4Children and senior sports teachers from the district, as well as the Committee itself, in organizing the program. He stated that the Sports Committee is already planning to bring a sports package to the Machhapuchchhre Rural Municipality under his own leadership. “We will support any sports-related events organized, whether at the Rural Municipality level or the Pokhara Stadium,” he assured.

Bishnu Prasad Adhikari, an official from Machhapuchchhre Rural Municipality, emphasized that the Rural Municipality recognizes the event as one of the major tournaments at the local level. He expressed gratitude to Right4Children for implementing numerous extra-curricular activities in close coordination with local authorities. “We have witnessed the success of Right2Run and its positive impact on our students,” he noted. 

Adhikari highlighted the importance of extracurricular activities for the overall development of students. He expressed optimism that sports are gaining greater recognition and acceptance among the general public in the country. “People are beginning to understand that sports can be a means of livelihood in Nepal,” he stated. He further added, “Now individuals are realizing that they can earn name, fame, and money through sports. A prime example of this is the Nepal Premier League, the nation’s largest tournament.”

Dipak Poudel, the Principal of Shukla Gandaki Secondary School, expressed his gratitude for the efforts of Right4Children in organizing this program. He stated, “This initiative serves as a great motivation for all of us, especially our students. Competitions like these are beneficial for their physical, social, and academic development.”

One of the participants, Anup Nepali (15 years old, Class 9) from Machhapuchchhre Secondary School in Bhurjung Khola, shared, “I am really excited to participate in the competition. I am not worried about whether I win or lose; I will give my best to win.” He later went on to win the competition in the 2 km Senior Boys category.

<b>Winners of 2km Senior Boys (L-R): </b>Nabin BK - 4th (Nispakshya Secondary School),&nbsp;Netra Raj Dhamala - 3rd (Mahendra Sec school), Mukesh Nepali - 2nd (Deurali Basic School ), Anup Nepali - 1st (Machhapuchhre Secondary School)

Anjeela Gharti, (13 years, class 7) from Meghraj Basic School in Ghachok, expressed her excitement about participating in the race. “This is my third time at Pokhara Stadium,” she said. She secured second place in the 2km Senior Girls race. “I will do better next time,” she stated with determination.

<b>Winners of 2km Senior Girls (L-R):&nbsp;</b>Ayusha Dahal - 4th (Taare Baraha Sec School),&nbsp;⁠⁠Roshni Nepali-3rd (Shukla Gandaki Sec School), ⁠Anjila GT - 2nd (Meghraj Basic School),&nbsp;Puspa Bhandari - 1st (Gaurishankar Sec School)

<b>Winners of 1.2km Junior Boys (L-R):&nbsp;</b>Krijal Shrestha - 4th (Deurali Basic School), Saroj Pariyar - 3rd (Meghraj Basic School), Gaurav Sunar - 2nd (Udaya Secondary School),&nbsp;⁠Roshan Nepali -1st (BalKalyan Basic School)

<b>Winners of 1.2km Junior Girls (L-R):&nbsp;</b>⁠⁠Punita Chhantyal Magar - 4th (Gaurishankar),&nbsp;Yunisha Sedhai - 3rd (Balkalyan Basic School), Sonia Nepali - 2nd (Mahendra Secondary School),&nbsp;Anusha Budha - 1st (Shukla Gandaki Secondary School)

“We have been running the CFS project in Machhapuchchhre Rural Municipality since 2022,” said Smritee Gurung, the CFS Project Coordinator. She added, “Right2Run is a unique initiative under the CFS Project aimed at helping students become physically active, thus supporting their overall development.” She expressed that if even one of these students were to become a national player in the future, it would be regarded as a success for their efforts. Additionally, she noted, “Events like these provide students with a sense of competition and help boost their confidence.”

Attendees in the event included school principals, teachers, focal teachers of sports from the respective schools, representatives from teacher-parent associations, students, and staff from Right4Children.

Health desk support was provided by Right4Children’s health worker, Phulmaya Dura. The program was facilitated by Apsara Gurung, Right4Children’s ECA Coordinator. The program concluded with a note of thanks from Kriti Shrestha, Acting CEO of Right4Children.

Right2Run is an initiative under the CFS Project by Right4Children being implemented with the support of Emily Shaw, CWS Hong Kong, C4CN UK, and Exchange & Empower.