By Sachit Subba • Other Sports • Apr 02, 2026 13:29 PM • 122 views
KATHMANDU – The rhythmic click-clack of ping-pong balls echoed through the NOC Earthquake Memorial Covered Hall on Thursday morning as Nepal joined the “Relay Around the World.” This global initiative, orchestrated by the French Embassy in collaboration with the Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC), bypassed traditional rigid competition in favour of raw, inclusive energy.
The event served as a high-stakes cultural bridge, connecting professional athletes with local students under the “Global Embassy Sports Initiative” banner. Organisers shattered the sport's usual hierarchy. Instead of isolating elite champions on centre courts, they paired them directly with wide-eyed beginners and para-athletes. This tactical mix bridged the generational gap and forced seasoned pros to adapt their pace to a communal rhythm.
Diplomacy at the Table
French Ambassador Virginie Corteval looked on as the diplomacy shifted from formal boardrooms to the green surface of the table. She characterised the relay not as a hunt for medals, but as a vital engine for peace and social cohesion. Her message was clear: sport is a tool for building a healthier, more unified civil society.
NOC President Jeevan Ram Shrestha agreed, saying the event brought Nepal and France closer through the Olympic values of excellence and respect.
A Global Pulse
This relay isn’t just a local fixture; it is a travelling torch of sport passing through French embassies across the globe. By bringing together people from diverse social backgrounds and physical abilities, the Kathmandu leg shattered the notion that elite sports must be exclusive. It was a morning defined by swift serves and shared smiles.
The hall was packed with officials, including NOC General Secretary Nilendra Raj Shrestha, embassy staff, and press. They witnessed a simple truth: Sport unites where words fail.
