District Sports Development Committee felicitates Silwal The Lalitpur District Sports Development Committee (DSDC), on Saturday felicitated Bhupendra Silwal, the first Nepali marathoner to participate in the Olympics in Tokyo in 1964. State Minister of Education and Sports N P Saud handed over Rs 5001 and a felicitation letter to Silwal in a programme organised after the peace and goodwill rally that converted into mass gathering at Patan Durbar Square. Everest Athletics Club, Kalimati also handed over a felicitation letter to Silwal. “I am very happy and would like to thank Lalitpur District Sports Development Committee for their effort towards the encouragement to upcoming players,” said Silwal adding, “The government should learn something from this effort of the committee.” “Money does not matter, I received the honour after 38 years and this is enough for me,” said Silwal. “I am happy that sports personalities will now be encouraged,” added Silwal. Earlier, a mass of about 5,000 participated in the rally organised on the occasion of New Year 2059. The rally, started from the play-ground of Buddhi Bikas Mandal, Lagankhel was participated by students of more than 50 secondary schools, different sports associations, clubs and dojos of Lalitpur and Kathmandu district. According to the organisers, cultural procession groups from Kathmandu and Bhaktapur districts also took part in the rally. Representatives of all the political parties, including Nepali Congress, United Marxist and Lenninist, Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Samyukta Jana Morcha were also took part in the rally organised to prevail peace in the country. Principals of schools, president of Guardians Association Nepal Suprabhat Bhandary, president of PABSON of Lalitpur Ram Keshar Khadka, general secretary of Nepal Karate Federation Dawa Gurung, District Education Officer of Lalitpur Baliram Prasad Singh, president of Consumers’ Forum Lalitpur district and other dignitaries of the society also participated in the rally. Meanwhile, according to a notice issued by the DSDC, Baikuntha Manandhar and Ratna Tuladhar are to participate in Kathmandu-Lumbini Marathon to be held on May 20. The peace marathon is being organised by Swayambhu Youth Club.