Honouring Nepali National Boxing Players in London

London, UK – On 5th August 2023, Yeti Nepali Association UK and the Nepal National and International Players Association UK jointly hosted a special event to honour and bid farewell to the Nepali national boxing players who recently competed in Scotland. The event took place at Newa Chhe Maya Restaurant in South Harrow, London.

The veteran boxer Puran Rai, Junior National Champion Akash Dangi, and fellow boxer Max Basnet were honoured with bouquets, cash prizes, and traditional Khadas. The event was attended by Yeti President Pipla Dewan Pandey, General Secretary Tanka Bhattarai, former Yeti President Umesh Moktan, and Siddhartha Bikram Kshetri, President of the Players Association, along with Vice President Suraj Karki and veteran singer and boxer Yogeshwar Amatya, among others.

Singer Yogeshwar Amatya generously contributed £200 to each of the three players and an additional £250 on behalf of his friends. Siddhartha Bikram Kshetri presented sports equipment to the players, while Yeti President Pipla Dewan personally donated £100 to each player, along with certificates, bouquets, and a memento from the association.

Veteran boxer Puran Rai, who has won over 20 national gold medals, recently claimed victory in a professional boxing competition in Scotland. He defeated Ryan Carter in the third round of the “Rumble in the Jungle” event with a Technical Knockout (TKO), further establishing himself as the Universal Boxing Alliance (UBA Scotland) Champion.

Yeti General Secretary Tanka Bhattarai, who hosted the event, stated that the honour was given to encourage the players and recognise their achievements. Yeti President Pipla Dewan expressed her pride in the players, who have brought international recognition to Nepal. Siddhartha Bikram Kshetri, President of the Players Association, reaffirmed their ongoing efforts to support Nepali athletes in the UK.

Singer Amatya praised the players for their dedication to representing Nepal on the global stage, despite the lack of government support. Former Yeti President Umesh Moktan committed the organisation to providing special assistance to athletes in the future.

Councillor and former Mayor of Brent, Bhawganji Chauhan, congratulated the players, calling them national treasures and emphasising the need for the Nepali government to support and encourage them.

The honoured athletes expressed their gratitude to the organisers for the recognition and support. During the event, boxer Max Basnet highlighted the potential for improving the financial status of athletes by creating an environment that brings more Nepali players to the UK.