KARNALI: The 46th National Athletics Championship, 2083, kicked off at Birendranagar of Surkhet today.

Province Minister for Economic Affairs and Planning and Central Chairperson of Nepal Athletics Association, Rajeev Bikram Shah, inaugurated the championship organised by Nepal Athletics Association in coordination and cooperation with Karnali Province Sports Development Council.

On the occasion, Minister Shah shared that the national-level athletics championship was organnised for the first time in Karnali with a target of developing Karnali as the hub of sports.

“Sports sector has significant role in country’s economic prosperity, social development and tourism promotion.

Karnali is a potential land that has crucial contribution to making the country known in national and international arena from sports. It is the matter of pride for the nation that national-level sports are being conducted in the province, which is geographically remote and backward,” he argued.

There are 28 events towards men and women category in the championship. Seven province teams, Nepali Army, Tribhuvan Army Club, APF, and Police Club are participating in the championship.

Total 240 athletes—120 men and 120 women, are competing for 28 gold medals.

Rajan Rokaya of the Nepali Army and Santoshi Shrestha of Bagmati Province secured first position in the 10-kilometer race organised today under the championship.

The winners would receive Rs 15,000, trophy, medal and certificate.