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Opening Ceremony of 9th National Rafting Championship and 14th National Canoeing Slalom Championship
February 1, 2026
The 9th National Rafting Championship and 14th National Canoeing Slalom Championship officially began on Sunday at the Trishuli River in Fishling, Chitwan. The event is organized by the Nepal Rafting and Canoeing Association (NRCA) with support from the Bagmati Province Sports Development Council.
The championships were formally inaugurated by NRCA President and Nepal Olympic Committee Secretary General Mr. Rajiv Shrestha, who marked the opening by handing over a paddle to Technical Head Mr. Nim Bahadur Magar.
Running from February 1 to 3, the championships feature 51 athletes representing various river regions and clubs from across the country. Competitors are showcasing their skills and courage on the waves of the Trishuli River across multiple rafting and canoeing disciplines.
Beyond being a national-level competition, the event also serves as an international selection platform. According to President Shrestha, the top five athletes in canoeing slalom will be included in the first phase of selection for the Asian Games, scheduled to take place in Japan this coming September.
With rafting and canoeing now included in the Asian Games, the organizers believe this championship will play a crucial role in identifying capable and competitive athletes to represent Nepal on the international stage.
The competition will conclude on Tuesday. In canoeing, first, second, and third place winners will receive cash prizes of NPR 25,000, NPR 15,000, and NPR 7,500 respectively. In rafting, the corresponding prizes are NPR 65,000, NPR 35,000, and NPR 25,000, according to the organizers.
