Sapana Khadka didn’t know what to do with her old Nokia E63, a clunky brick of a phone that was somewhere in between a no-frills handset and a smartphone. It had lain neglected in her drawer for months before she came across an outlandish event that was perfectly suited to her Nokia E63.

The ‘mobile throwing competition’ initially started in 2015 as a bizarre fundraising idea by the Rotary and Rotaract Clubs of Rudramati, Babarmahal and Manohara. In this quasi-sport, participants throw their mobile phones, like a miniature shot put event, as far as they can. Whoever gets the farthest distance wins.  

Khadka, 30, threw her old Nokia E63 as far as she could, but didn’t manage to win any prizes. Still, it was something cathartic for her, getting rid of something old in a symbolic manner.

“The mere act of throwing an unusable phone can make you feel fresh and light from within, given that mobile phones are the very objects that keep us constrained and yet, open to the world at the same time,” says Khadka.

This peculiar competition, which first took place in 2000 in Finland, was initially started to raise awareness about recycling old phones and releasing frustration, albeit with a particularly twisted Nordic sense of humour.

In Nepal, the competition, organised by Rotary groups, has taken on a more social welfare slant. The first mobile throwing competition was held in 2015 and had over 300 participants. Funds collected from the event were used to provide 50 women from Mugu district with new mobile phones and training on the use of mobile phones. Nepal currently considers the ability to use a mobile phone as a measure of literacy.

This year, the competition aims to provide women living with disabilities with mobile phones. The event has been divided into three categories—Under-14, Male, Female—and each participant is provided with an unusable mobile phone which they throw. The winner is awarded a brand new mobile phone, and all funds collected go towards rural women.

The primary idea behind throwing mobile phones might have been to initiate societal welfare, but it was also designed to release frustration and provide some sort of freedom.

“At some point or the other, we’ve all wished to be able to throw our devices. That feeling could stem from anger, frustration, sadness, anxiety or anything really,” says Kishor Tripathi, programme coordinator for the mobile throwing competition. “Being able to give release to those feeling freely saves us from their burden.”

Furthermore, the sight of a number of people seriously shotputting their mobile phones is certain to bring smiles to the faces of participants and onlookers, despite the distances some folks can throw.

The longest throw so far has been 36.576 metres and the distances are expected to lengthen this year, says Tripathi.

To take part in the event, participants need to register themselves by paying Rs 500 or depositing an old yet usable mobile phone. If they choose to deposit an old phone, participants are exempt from paying registration fees. The phone deposited, remains with the organisers, and if are usable, will be given to women from rural areas. If unusable, the phone is sold for scraps and the amount collected is used to buy new phones.  

The Third Mobile throwing Competition, will take place on March 2 at Siphal grounds, with more than 300 participants.