https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9yfNuqIlZEMore interested in football, the last thing Sukra Rai thought he would become was a professional golfer.But when a friend asked the 12-year-old Rai in 2010 to caddie at the golf course in the former British Army base in Dharan during a professional tournament, he had no idea he would be launching a career.“I earned Rs800 in just two days,” Rai recalls 12 years later. “I was attracted by the money at first. Even my friends who were into football later came along to caddie.”<img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/2022111410118/637205c99c7e80680e0b28d6jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="1320" height="1625"/>An 18-hole golf course was built in Dharan in 1960 by the British and when the base was closed in 1985, locals started taking interest in golf and the course was revived.It was not a love at first shot for Rai. But as he continued as a caddie boy, his interest in golf awakened. He would play with his fellow caddies on ‘Caddie Day’ which would take place every Wednesday.He would also participate in the ‘Golf Clinic’ the senior golfers held for school children under the tutelage of professional golfers like Sabin Sapkota, Devraj Pakhrin and Munni Kumar Rai.Gradually, the seniors noticed Rai’s strokes and focus. They set him up with clubs and amenities, and Rai’s golf life took off.He participated in the first caddie match organised in Dharan and won. “The club members had raised money to organise the game”, says Rai. “I played 18 handicaps in the first match and crossed the level with 18 overs.”Then in 2012, Rai participated in the Junior Golf Tournament organised by the Nepal Golf Association. He won second place in the junior category a year later. After that it was one win after another.“Not being able to practice during lockdown was frustrating,” says Rai who practices ten hours each day, till 6 in the evening.<img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/2022111410118/637205cc9c7e80680e0b28d7jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="584">Rai started playing in the Surya Nepal tours in 2014 and won his first Surya Nepal Eastern Open in the amateur category that same year. In 2015 he came second but was the amateur champion in the 2016 and 2017.Read also: <a href="http://archive.nepalitimes.com/article/Nepali-Times-Buzz/Nepal%C3%A2%E2%82%AC%E2%84%A2s-own-tennis-sisters-and-they-are-twins,2412#:~:text=Those%20in%20Nepal%20watching%20Serena,when%20they%20were%20barely%20six.">Tennis Twins</a>, Sonia AwaleIn 2018 he overtook even the professional players Shiva Ram Shrestha, Ravi Khadka and Bhuwan Nagarkoti to win the tournament trophy. Rai went on to win two major titles in the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2019 season, becoming the first amateur golfer to win two trophies in the same season.In 2017, he was the group winner and third seed in the Bhutan Open Golf Championship and went on to be first seed in the same competition in 2019. That year Rai also won the Amateur Open Championship in Bangladesh.<img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/2022111410118/637205cf9c7e80680e0b28d8jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="1267" height="830">In the 7th National Golf Championship in 2016, he bagged gold in both group and individual competitions. The following year, he won the championship. In the 13th South Asian Games held in Nepal in 2019, he won gold in team and bronze in individual competitions.“I was the happiest when I won in the South Asian Games”, says Rai. “If young people like me enter golf, then the sport has a great future in Nepal.”Rai missed out on his studies as his sports career took flight, but he is not disheartened. Now a professional golfer, Rai won the Dharan Open and the Surya Nepal Western Open in 2021. He has also already won the 2022 Eastern Open and Central Open.<img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/2022111410118/637205d39c7e80680e0b28d9jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="647">“More golf tournaments are taking place in Nepal and the prize money is also increasing” Rai says: “It is now possible to make a career in golf if one is willing to work hard.”In the household previously run by his father and older brother, Rai has begun to contribute financially with his tour prize money. Even then, it is difficult to bear his golf and family expenses. A set of golf equipment costs up to Rs300,000, but a good second-hand set can be bought for under NRs40,000 and used for up to three years. In addition, professionals pay 12,000 rupees yearly to play in the Dharan course.“So far, I have been supported by my seniors,” says Rai. “But it is tough without a sponsor.”<img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/2022111410118/637205d59c7e80680e0b28dajpeg.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640">Rai’s immediate goal was the Indian tour, and to play, he needed to be selected in the pre-qualifying school. He had already entered for the selection, but the tour has now been stalled due to the pandemic.“I will try again”, he says: “After the Indian tour, I want to play in the Asian tour. I have been working hard for it.”“Rai is a mature player”, says golf professional Sabin Sapkota. “He works hard, asks questions, he has more to achieve in the future.”Jitendra Rai, vice president of the golf club, considers Sukra Rai a pride of Dharan. “It is inspiring.  A labourer’s son is number one.”Translated from the Himalkhabar Nepali <a href="https://www.himalkhabar.com/news/128025">original</a>, published online on 28 January 2022.

original

674x448

610x380

500x500

400x266

400x240

400x203

301x200

1250x600

1084x550

Nepal caddie turns into a golfing champ

<img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221110161144/636d1d189c7e80680e0af393jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="1537" height="1185"/>Jayan Madhikarmi is the winner of the 2021 Kora Cycling Click 2 Win photo contest 2021(#MYKORACHALLENGE).  The winner received a free roundtrip ticket to Istanbul sponsored by Turkish Airlines, which has been partnering with the organisers for the past three years. The winner was selected by professional judges and based on Facebook likes. Turkish Airlines has been partnering with the Kora Cycling event organized by Social Tours and Kathmandu Cycle City Network, supported by Pangro with 3,000 cyclists every year.

Turkish Airlines and #MyKoraChallenge

As surely as night follows day (or is it the other way around?) it is now that time of year again when we celebrate the season of beauty contests. From now till Dasain just about every venue in the city is booked for knockout tournaments in various categories to select young men, women, or both, who are most qualified to be Mister Donut, Messrs Schmidt, Miss Nepal, Miss Taken or Miss Guided.One gala pageant last week saw the crowning of Miss Teen Kunay in all her resplendent glory. And just so the other contestants would not be disheartened, there were also awards for Miss Photogenic, Best Hair and Thickest Dandruff categories.As expected, competition was keen, as indicated by the riot that broke out over the counting process for online votes. Awards were then also given to Mr &amp; Ms Tod Fod, Mister Hat Pat, and Miss Hina Mina. In order to introduce gender parity to these pageants, various organisers this year have also encouraged members of the unfair sex to participate in the mayhem.We are now in possession of the calendar of events for the rest of the season, and it looks like a busy next few months of pageant-hopping for us hacks in the beauty beat.Master and Miss Infant Nepal 2019Motto: “Catch ‘em Young!”Date: September 23-27Venue: Prasuti Griha Maternity Hospital Main Auditorium, ThapathaliCriteria: Only babies who have their umbilical cords already cut are eligible. Newborns will be required to take part in the elimination rounds which include the Koochi-koochi-koo Round, Crawling-Around Round, Disposable Diaper Round, Breast-feeding Round, Burping Round and the Wee-wee and Poo-poo Rounds. Judges will evaluate participants on the basis of noise, poise, odour, motor functions and response to questions in the Interview Round. Sample question: “What kind of world are you being brought into by your parents?”Mister Unfair and Ugly Nepal Street Pageant, 2076 BSSlogan: “We Do Not Believe in Fair Competition”Date and Time: Daily 10am-5pmVenue: Maitighar Mandala Prohibited ZoneCategories: Mr Brickbat, Mr Young Turk, Cutest Arsonist in the Tyre-Burning Round, Mr Water Cannon, Most Authentic Weeping in the Tear Gas Round.Politically-Incorrect Pageant 2019Credo: “Mother and Motherland Are Dearer Than Heaven”Venue: Behind-the-ScenesProcedure: Winners will not be selected on merit basis but nominated by a clique of shadowy political appointees.Categories: Miss Melanin-Challenged, Miss Impunity, Miss Latent Talent, Mr &amp; Mrs Kleptocrat, The Right Honourable Mr Ex-Convict, Messrs Wilful Defaulters, Miss Thighland and Mr Cutest Ass.Activities: Participants will be eliminated in the Muscial Chairs Round during which winners will be allowed to sit for a brief period on chairs before they are unceremoniously unseated.

The Ass

Miss Guided

<figure><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221108131148/636a502c9c7e80680e04fd46jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1333"/><figcaption>FLAG OFF: The Kathmandu Kora 2019 being flagged off at Patan Darbar Square by Lalitpur Mayor Chiri Babu Maharjan. Pic: KUNDA DIXIT</figcaption></figure>More than 3,000 riders took part in the <a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/latest/kathmandu-kora-2019/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kathmandu Kora Cycling Challenge</a> on Saturday 20 July, riding 50km, 75km or 100km routes around the Valley.  The rally raised money for various education, reconstruction and youth training causes, with participants earning a suggested Rs100 per km from family and friends. In conjunction with the rides, airline partner Turkish Airlines organised the Click2Win contest for photo enthusiasts, with the winner getting a return ticket to any destination in Europe.The shortest of the three rides was designed for amateurs but offered challenges including brisk climbs and narrow alleys. The Good to Expert 75km circuit involved more adventurous cycling, with steeper climbs and mountain en route to Boudhanath and Chobhar.Read also: <a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/banner/no-city-for-cyclists/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">No city for cyclists</a>, Sewa Bhattarai<figure><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221108131148/636a502f9c7e80680e04fd47jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="1279"><figcaption> </figcaption></figure>The most challenging Expert To Pro 100-km circuit occupied an entire day of cycling along hills on the Valley rim.Participants in the Click2Win contest have till 28 July to submit their photos. A set of finalists will be selected and the one whose photo earns the most likes on social media will win a free roundtrip ticket to a destination in Europe.Reeti KCEmail photo submissions to:click2win@kathmandukora.net

Cycle challenge and click to win

Celebrating New Year 2075, Berger Paints Nepal has announced an offer 'Bergerko ATM' for house owners, where they can win cash prize up to Rs3 million.On purchase of Berger Silk Range: ‘Weather-coat All Guard’ or ‘Weather-coat Anti Dust Emulsions’, house owners shall get a free 100 square feet Silk Illusion Design.<img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/2022110710114/6368ca2a9c7e80680e02f2f2jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="362" height="240"/>Berger has also programmed a promotional competition on their Facebook page. Among the house or building owners who participate, three best commercial buildings will be chosen for a cash prize of Rs50,000 each and the most 'liked' house on Berger’s Facebook page will win Rs25,000.Interested participants are expected to register for the competition before painting their house via Berger’s Facebook page or website. The registration is open from 15 April to 16 July.More details: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/bergerpaintsnepal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.facebook.com/bergerpaintsnepal</a> or <a href="http://www.atm.bergernepal.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.atm.bergernepal.com</a>

competition

Nepal caddie turns into a golfing champ

Turkish Airlines and #MyKoraChallenge

Miss Guided

Cycle challenge and click to win

Paint your luck with Berger