NCA has come up with the concept of Tour de Himalaya, aimed at bringing international cyclists to Nepal for the race. [break]
Chimi Urken Gurung, president of NCA, said during the assembly that they have formed a committee under the leadership of First Vice President Gopal Sundarlal Kakshyapati to organize the event.
Speaking at the assembly, Kakshyapati said that the success of NCA in hosting Asian Cycling Championship in 2008 has made Nepal a potential destination to host the World Championship.
“The success of Asian Championship has given us the message that World Championship is possible in Nepal. We are first planning to organize Tour de Himalaya. We are hopeful that it will pave the way for hosting the World Championship,” said Kakshyapati.
Kakshyapati further said that the Nepal´s terrain is suitable to host such events.
“We have seen foreigners making artificial tracks for races but we rich in nature,” he added.
NCA President Gurung said that the President of UCI (International Cycling Union) has personally encouraged them to organize the World Championship.
However, the formal process to bid for the championship and the lack of infrastructure makes it a daunting task. The Tour de Himalaya is seen as a first step toward achieving the feat as NCA will know its potential, according to Kakshapati.
“There will be about 800 to 1000 riders in the World Championship. Although it will help establish Nepal as a destination of adventure-sports, it is a great challenge for us. So we are planning to begin with 300 riders in the Tour de Himalaya,” he said.
Gurung re-elected NCA president
The Second General Assembly of Nepal Cycling Association gave continuity to its present leadership headed by President Chimi Urken Gurung and elected a 12-member executive committee on Saturday.
First Vice President Gopal Sundarlal Kakshyapati also retained his post while Pushkar Shah was elected vice president. Sanjeeb Kumar Pandey is the general secretary while Ranjan Rajbhandari is the secretary once again in the new executive committee. Shubha Shrestha retained her post as the treasurer.
Uday Bhushan, Mahesh Nakarni, Himraj Paudyal, Rupesh Man Shrestha, Rajendra Man Shestha and Upendra Man Khadka were elected the members.
Vice President Shah, and members Bhushan, Paudyal and Khadka are the new faces in the executive committee.
Altogether 13 central committee members, 34 representatives from 17 districts, and two members of the technical team had participated in the general assembly.
The first meeting of the new executive committee appointed Rabindra Shrestha as vice president and Sunil Kumar Shrestha as its member. Former Vice President Sonam Gurung was appointed senior advisor. The executive committee is yet to appoint two more vice presidents and four members to get its full shape having 21 members.
The meeting also decided to give rankings to Nepali cyclists.
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