Clockwise: Pramila Rijal Chaudhary, Deepak Bista, Upendra Man Singh, Manish Hamal, Gyanendra Malla and Karishma Karki.
Pramila Rijal Chaudhary (Athletics, APF): Rijal is the national record holder in women’s 400m. She had won three gold medals in the Fifth National Games held some six months ago.
“My Dashain would be spent in the tracks this year as I need to prepare for the 11th South Asian Games (SAG) to be held after four months. I only have a day’s leave on Tika so I am thinking of celebrating it with my husband, friends and colleagues here in Kathmandu. I am planning to go Gorkha, my maternal uncle’s home, with my husband to receive tika. I had also been planning to watch Nepali movie ‘Kaha Vatieala’ on Dashian holidays but I don’t think I would be able to manage time for that. I am undergoing daily training until 10-11am.”
Deepak Bista (Taekwondo): Bista has won three consecutive gold medals in SAG. He is also the first Nepali male player to qualify for the Olympic Games.
“We won’t be observing Tika this year as my relative has expired recently. I won’t be going home to Kailali. I will focus on training for the upcoming SAG as my target is to win a gold medal. However, I would spend some time with my friends and relatives. If time favors, I would watch few Nepali films - the sequel to Kusume Rumal and a action movie of Biraj Bhatta.”
Upendra Man Singh (Football): Singh is the National football team coach. He is also the former national squad captain and goalkeeper.
“I will spend Dashain with my family and friends. We have a big family and I don’t have any special plans for the festival. Being a Newar, I will observe the Sir Line ritual and I will go to offer my worship at temples. I have not watched movie in the cinema hall for the last 5-6 years. If I could manage time during the festival this year I would go with my wife to watch a Nepali movie. I will also play cards with my family and friends and also drink during the festival.”
Gyanendra Malla (Cricket): Malla is the U-19 national cricket team captain. He is the first and the only Nepali player to play all-age level matches for national team-U-15, U-17 and U-19 and senior team in 2005.
“I like to fly kite very much and for this I think Dashain would be the most appropriate time to do that. I will spend the festival with my friends and family. I will go to Damauli, my maternal uncle’s home, with my family and also visit other relatives’ house. Earlier, I used to go to watch movie with my family but it’s been long time since I last went to watch a movie. If I got chance I would love to watch Sano Sansar, Mero Eauta Sathi Chha and Caravan.”
Karishma Karki (Swimming): Karki won 12 gold medals in the Fifth National Games. Recently, she won NSJF Pulsar Woman Player of the Year Award.
“I don’t have any special plans for Dashain. I have only have 3-4 days’ leave for the festival as I need to prepare for the upcoming SAG. I will go to Sindhupalchowk, my grandfather’s house, to receive tika from him. I don’t have interest in movies.
Manish Hamal (Chess): Hamal is the first and only FIDE Master of Nepal.
“I will practice chess and celebrate the festival with my family and friends. I will also play cards but only for recreation. I would like to listen to Ram Krishna Dhakal’s song and also practice notations if I get time. I would also like to watch Govinda’s and Shah Rukh Khan’s movies.”
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