Kathmandu. The third edition of the "Tenzing Norge Sherpa Open Lead Climbing Competition" has started in Kathmandu from Thursday. A total of 12 players, including 6 men and 6 women, have entered the final stage of the competition. A foreign climber has also reached the final on the men's side.
The competition, which is being organized jointly by the Nepal National Mountain Guides Association (NNMGA) and the US Nepal Climbers Association Inc., aims to promote adventure climbing sports in Nepal as well as to honor the contributions of renowned climbers Tenzing Norge Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary, according to the organizers.
There is a separate competition for men and women in the competition. The winners of both categories will receive cash prizes of Rs 50,000, Rs 30,000, and Rs 20,000 for first, second, and third place respectively.
According to Tulsingh Gurung, president of the Nepal National Mountain Guides Association, the opening ceremony held on Thursday morning was inaugurated by Fur Gelje Sherpa, president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association. It has been informed that Mingma Gyabu Sherpa, a member of the House of Representatives, will have a special presence in the final program to be held on Friday.
So far, 27 men and 11 women have participated in the competition. Among them, 6 men and 6 women players have entered the final with excellent performance, said President Gurung.
"This year's competition is special because it is the first time that a competition has been organized in the lead climbing category," said Gurung, "the previous two editions were limited to top-rope climbing only."
The competition, which was started in memory of Tenzing Norge Sherpa, was organized to commemorate the first successful ascent of Mount Everest, the world's highest peak, on May 29, 1953, with Sir Edmund Hillary, according to the organizers.
According to Gurung, this year's competition was organized targeting the historic occasion of May 29. He said that the competition has been made more special as there are few programs related to technical adventure sports on the day associated with Mount Everest climbing.
"So far, May 29 has been celebrated mainly through rallies, certificate distribution, and formal programs. This year, for the first time, a competition has been organized technically in the joint organization of the Nepal National Mountain Guides Association and the US Nepal Climbers Association Inc., which we expect to make a positive contribution to the development of Nepal's climbing sector," said Gurung.
He added, "Organizing a competition on this important day connected to history is a high honor to Tenzing Norge Sherpa's courage and his contribution to the field of mountaineering."
According to the organizers, the competition is expected to further promote the culture of adventure climbing sports that is being developed in Nepal, as well as to inspire the young generation towards adventure sports and mountaineering.
