By Sachit Subba • Other Sports • Aug 31, 2026 15:46 PM • 234 views
This weekend, Hardik Fitness celebrated its 29th anniversary with a large athletic competition in Pulchowk. The well-known facility hosted an open table tennis championship and its first pickleball tournament, drawing large crowds and top-level players. Including pickleball brought athletes from across the country and abroad, clearly showing the sport is growing rapidly in Nepal.
On Friday during the qualifiers, the pickleball courts were filled with activity. Subarna Shah took centre stage by earning a rare chance to compete for a championship title. He beat his opponents and reached the men's singles final, where he will meet Pranav Khanal in a highly anticipated title match. Shah also teamed up with Samir Pokharel in the men's doubles event and, moving through a field of 46 teams, reached the doubles final. The pair will face Lakshya Bikram Shah and Anis Adhikari to decide the doubles champion. The singles pickleball event was just as competitive, with 36 committed players at the baseline.
Pickleball brought fresh energy to the anniversary festivities, while the table tennis courts offered fast exchanges and intense play. A total of 135 athletes signed up for the ping pong events, with entries divided among three competitive divisions. In the men's singles section, which had 71 players, the elimination rounds were extremely tough and eventually reduced the field to two. Prajil Bhattarai will play Himal Bista to decide the overall champion.
At the women's table tennis event, 22 athletes competed for dominance, and Bianka Rai and Diya Deula beat their competitors with precision and will now face each other in the final. The veteran section also added tactical determination, with 42 experienced players gathered at the tables. Chandan Shahi and Thakur Thapa won their tough veteran round and will now contest the senior title.
To match the competition's high standard, the organisers set up substantial prizes. Winners of each event will receive Rs 30,000 in prize money, along with an exclusive free membership to Hardik Fitness; second place will get Rs 15,000, and third place will receive Rs 5,000.
The flawless execution of this dual-sport event left a lasting mark on the local athletic community. Hardik Fitness Operations Manager Bipin Maharjan considered the massive turnout a historic milestone for the club. He noted that the strong presence of both national and international players pushed the competitive standard to the maximum, making the 29th anniversary an unforgettable occasion. Proprietor Biraj Bista shared a similar perspective. He expressed pride and satisfaction in successfully delivering the facility's first official pickleball tournament, cementing Pulchowk as a new destination for the sport.
