Created 1 years 26 days ago
by
Admin
Like: 0
- Currently 0.00/5 Stars.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Gurkha News
Views: 1435
Print
Despite ongoing desire on part of the Gurkha Nepalese community in different parts of UK to organise community events where both sections of the society i.e. host communities and the recently settled Gurkha Nepalese communities can come together, mix and enjoy the event freely, few have been successfully executed so far.
In that respect, the Amateur Boxing Tournament on 28th April 2012 held at Maidstone Mote Park Leisure Centre main hall organised by Maidstone Gurkha Amateur Boxing Club –with the support of the local Maidstone Gurkha Nepalese community- proved to be something of an exception.
Despite its relatively young inception period, for the second year running, the Gurkha Amateur Boxing Club and its now annual tournament received deserved wide acclaim from both within and outside the Gurkha community for the scale of the event, its widely inclusive participation from 16 different amateur boxing clubs across the South East and its efficacious ability to retain that subtle Gurkha Nepalese hospitality (with Nepali cultural dance, full Nepali starters and a generous Gurkha thaali meal thrown in).
Over 600 spectators packed the hall on the 28th, most of whom were fee paying locals as well as Maidstone Nepalese Community members, Councillors, Mayor, friends/colleagues, families and supporters of the boxing tourno participants.
One after another the young, courageous boxers came into the ring, fought with all their might and genius–yet with disciplined mutual respect for their opponents, their anxious coaches by the ringside urging and hastily guiding them on. As the gloves met and missed intended targets, blood and sweat flew in all directions. On the periphery, the audience went wild as supporters from opposing sides cheered on for the boxers. In between participant changes, audience members generously partook in sponsoring different stages of the boxing rounds and in auctioning of signed photographs by boxing legends, raising further funds for the Club. After round up of their matches, the players demonstrated admirable restraint in overt display of emotions, instead exchanging pats on the back with one another, their own and opponent’s coaches and the referee, followed by prize giving from distinguished guests.
There’s truly so much more to write about, yet we feel that sometimes things are better experienced through ‘being there’, hence we’d like to encourage our visitors who can and would like to, to try and be there next year when the Maidstone Gurkha Amateur Boxing Club organises its third such event, to experience it for yourselves just how exhilarating it is and just how good it feels to be supporting a fellow Gurkha in such valiant efforts!
Hence, last but not least, while he is no ‘elected leader’ the gentle, inspiring coach behind all this i.e. Mr. Jhapat Singh Bhujel (ex-QGE, British Army Boxing Champion) has shown us all that actions often speak louder than words and unlike some people who revel in taking all credit, is first to admit that he couldn’t have done it all alone and hence is thankful to the various individuals who have all done their bit to lift his morale and support him through thick and thin. For such dignified resilience and sincerity, we salute you! We also join the wider Gurkha Nepalese community in wishing the Coach and his Club continued success and glory in coming years!
Now let us look at some pictures of the event. In due time, a short interview with the man himself will be shared; WATCH THIS SPACE!
(Pictures part 1 courtesy of Mr. Uttam KC, Mr. Rajkumar Gurung; Pictures Part 2 by the Maidstone Nepalese Community Hon. Chairperson's daughter. We thank you for sharing these pictures with the wider community)
3 Comments
You need to
register to comment.