When the Sports Minister himself climbed the wall....

Lalitpur – The “Lalitpur Climbing Festival”, which is being organized to commemorate the historic journey of journalist Kalpana Maharjan, who successfully climbed Mount Everest from the south (Nepal) and the north (China) for the first time, on May 23, 2018 and 2019, concluded its sixth edition this year in a grand manner.
The main attraction of the program was the ‘May 23 KMEA 6th Vertical Challenge Cup 2025’ competition, which was held at the Ascend Climbing Center in Jhamsikhel, Bagmati Province. It was organized in coordination with the Nepal Sport Climbing Association and the Kathmandu Valley Special Committee and in collaboration with the Mountain Adventure Sports Academy.
The minister himself climbed the wall to inaugurate the competition
The chief guest of the program, Youth and Sports Minister Tejulal Chaudhary, formally inaugurated the competition and shared his enthusiasm with the child athletes present by climbing the climbing wall himself. He expressed the government's commitment to systematically include climbing sports in national policies and infrastructure.
Competition Details
The competition was organized in the speed climbing category, in which 65 players from the age group of 4 to 18 years competed. The competition was organized in a knockout format through two speed routes A and B, as per IFSC rules. The players competed enthusiastically on the routes set up by the main route setter Neeraj Karki.
Winners list
First place for women: Sansila Tamang (13 years), second place: Keksha Khan (15 years) and third place: Pooja Danuwar (15 years)
First place for men: Sabin Banjan (17 years), second place: Dipendra Danuwar (15 years) and third place: Ratan Kadayat (16 years)
National Para Athlete
Shishan Maharjan – National Para Athlete
Youngest participant: Yuvraj Maharjan – 4 years
National Athlete Announcement
National recognition was given to the athletes who performed best in the competition by the NCSA.
Male National Players
Sabin Banjan (17)
Dipendra Danuwar (15)
Ratan Kadayat (16)
Dipesh Danuwar
Arun Danuwar
Ashish Magar
Krishna Kumar
Som Tamang
Amit Karki
Jesus Khatri
Asian Rayamajhi
Sheetal GC
Dhananjay Raj Ranger Gurung
Female National Players
Sansila Tamang (13)
Keksha Khan (15)
Pooja Danuwar (15)
Indu Danuwar
Mariam Thokar
Pratimah Basnet
Binisha Nagarkoti
Preeti Shah
Trishna KC
Deepasha Danuwar
Bianca Maharjan
Pravisha Pokharel
National Para Players
Shishan Maharjan (Specially Gifted)
Special Talent
Yubarazye Maharjan (4 years) – Youngest Participant
International Wishes
The event received wishes from various international sports officials and players.
This mountaineering festival, which was started to honor the campaign of Kalpana Maharjan, who spread the message against child marriage by successfully climbing Mount Everest from both sides, has been supporting the development of child climbing with a social message every year. Organizers say that this year's sixth edition has further inspired future champions.