Under the leadership of the Nepal Olympic Committee and officials from the Nepal Rafting and Canoeing Association, a definitive roadmap is established to elevate regional standards, infrastructure, and international competitiveness.
Satdobato, Lalitpur – In a decisive move to strengthen the landscape of water sports in the region, Mr. Rajiv Shrestha convened a high-level strategic meeting at the NOC Headquarters. Holding the dual leadership roles of Secretary General of the Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC) and President of the Nepal Rafting and Canoeing Association, Mr. Shrestha served as the driving force behind this initiative to align on a robust development plan for the sport.
The meeting was held to officially welcome Mr. Shaukat Pal Singh Sikand, Member of the World Rafting Federation (WRF) and President of the WRF Asian Council. Underscoring the strong institutional support for these initiatives, the session was also attended by Mr. Bhim Singh Gurung Vice President of the Nepal Rafting and Canoeing Association.
A Vision for 2027 and Beyond Central to Secretary General Shrestha’s agenda was the ambitious proposal for Nepal to host the inaugural Asian Rafting Championship in February 2027. This flagship event is envisioned not just as a competition, but as a catalyst for regional unity and athletic excellence.
Furthermore, Mr. Shrestha championed a groundbreaking infrastructure project: a cross-border collaboration between Nepal and India to construct a state-of-the-art artificial whitewater course. This initiative reflects the NOC’s long-term commitment to providing world-class facilities for Asian athletes.
Raising Technical Standards The leadership also focused on raising the technical standard of the sport within Nepal. Mr. Shrestha emphasized the importance of implementing the WRF guide certification programs, ensuring that Nepali rafting aligns with global safety and professional standards.
Demonstrating the NOC’s dedication to athlete development, the meeting confirmed the deployment of a Nepali national team to the upcoming Junior&U23 World Rafting Championships 2026 in Pau, France.
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