Sports
Traditional Liglige Race set for Oct 14
Ligligkot Development Initiative (LDI) on Tuesday announced the annual Liglige Daud on October 14 in Gorkha.Ligligkot Development Initiative (LDI) on Tuesday announced the annual Liglige Daud on October 14 in Gorkha.
Organised to promote tourism in Ligligkot, the Daud or race will have competitions in four categories: 13.8km open race (Liglige Daud), women’s 5km race, 13.8km run for the locals and school boys’ and girls’ 5km race. Historians believe that the Ligligekot State of Gorkha choose their king for one year through the Liglige Daud in the 17th century. The myth has it that the race used to be held during the Dashain festival with the champion crowned as the king of the state for one year.
Imitating the same ‘history’, the LDI has been organising the Liglige Daud since 2010. According to LDI president Purna Bahadur Rana, the winner of the race would earn the title of ‘King of Ligligkot’ for one day for the first time since the competition started eight years ago. “He will wear the king’s crown besides lifting the trophy. He will also be made the goodwill ambassador of Ligligkot for one year,” said Rana. Khagendra Ranabhat of Army Club is the defending champion.
The main attraction, the Liglige Daud, will start from Chepeghat and finish at the Ligligkot Palace premises. The organiser is expecting over 200 runners. The winner will be rewarded with Rs 60,100. Second-placed athlete will earn Rs 35,100 and the third-placed runner will get Rs 25,100. In all, top nine runners are assured of cash prizes. Top three finishers in women 5km and 13.8km locals’ categories will get Rs 20,005, Rs 12,005 and Rs 7,005 respectively.