CFRD launches Panda Pack Sports Kit project to foster Olympic spirit in Nepali youths

By TRN Online, Kathmandu, Mar. 20: China Foundation for Rural Development (CFRD) has officially launched the Panda Pack Sports Kit project in Nepal.

The sports kit is donated by Alibaba Philanthropy and the project was launched amidst the Lumbini International Peace Festival reception dinner in Lumbini, Nepal.

The project aims to cultivate the Olympic spirit among Nepalese youth, promoting unity and friendship, fair competition, and the pursuit of excellence, according to the CFRD.

This significant moment was witnessed by Badri Pandey, Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Chen Song, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, and Deepak Raj Joshi, Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board.

At the donation ceremony, Zou Zhiqiang, Country Director of the Nepal Office of the CFRD, handed over a donation plaque for 1,500 sports kits, with a total value of 1.5 million RMB (equivalent to 28 million Nepalese Rupee) to Jeevan Shrestha, President of the Nepal Olympic Committee. This donation will benefit 200 government schools in Nepal, supporting the development of sports activities for primary and secondary school students.

Director Zou Zhiqiang introduced that each sports kit contains sports equipment such as soccer balls, volleyballs, basketballs, table tennis paddles and balls, badminton rackets and shuttlecocks, jump ropes, a portable air pump, training cones, training vests, frisbees, and whistles. She stated:

"We hope that through these sports equipment, we can inspire Nepalese youth to develop a love for sports, enhance the importance of sports in Nepal's overall education system, and support the Nepal Olympic Committee in promoting the Olympic spirit among primary and secondary school students. At the same time, we also look forward to these equipment creating more opportunities for sports teaching and activities in Nepalese schools, promoting the popularization and development of physical education in Nepal, and cultivating more future talents with healthy bodies and positive spirits for Nepal." 

Jeevan Shrestha, President of the Nepal Olympic Committee, expressed his gratitude for the generous donation from Alibaba Philanthropy and the China Foundation for Rural Development, stating: "This precious gift will greatly promote the development of youth sports in Nepal. Sports are a crucial means of fostering the overall development of young people, helping to shape resilience, teamwork skills, and the pursuit of excellence. The support from Alibaba Philanthropy and the China Foundation for Rural Development not only provides valuable resources for Nepalese schools but also adds new vitality to the friendly relations between China and Nepal. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the China Foundation for Rural Development in the future to jointly advance the progress of sports in Nepal."

Representatives of CFRD also visited 10 government schools located in the Nepal-India border area of Lumbini to distribute 60 sports kits, benefiting nearly 6,000 students. This distribution aimed to provide young people in the border region with opportunities to participate in sports, promoting the popularization and development of physical education. In addition to distributing the sports kits, the foundation also organized a series of sports competitions and exchange activities at the schools, including football friendly matches, basketball skill challenges, jump rope competitions, and team-building games. Students actively participated, showcasing their vibrant energy and team spirit during the events.

In 2019, the China Foundation for Rural Development and Alibaba Philanthropy jointly launched the International Panda Pack Project, aimed at helping primary school students in underdeveloped areas of developing countries. By the end of 2024, the project had benefited more than 270,000 students in over 2,000 governmental schools across 70 districts in Nepal, according to the CFRD.

In 2024, the project was upgraded with the introduction of the "Sports Kit" and plans to host a series of cultural exchange activities to further strengthen the friendship between China and project countries. As one of the China Foundation for Rural Development’s initiatives to provide education and resources to community schools, the project aims to inspire students to actively participate in sports, acquire essential life skills, and develop qualities beneficial to both sports and personal growth. By promoting teamwork and perseverance, the project seeks to instill a lasting sports spirit in young people, laying the foundation for a healthier and more active future.