Kathmandu, Nepal - The UN International Day of Peace was celebrated by UPF-Nepal with three programs held in the capital region, Kathmandu, on September 21. These programs included: 1) a national martial arts tournament supported by Nepal’s National Sports Council, 2) a “Play Soccer for Peace and Reconciliation” competition that included 24 teams, and 3) a student interaction and prayer mediation co-sponsored with the Shanti Sewa Ashram.
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Martial Arts Tournament
This was the first Tong-il Moo-do Founder's Memorial Cup. It was in memory of its founder and the source of inspiration behind Tong-il Moo-do, Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon. There were 151 competitors representing 15 different teams of Nepal participating in the tournament. The event was supported by Nepal’s National Sports Council. The venue was the Neel Giri School in Kathmandu.
The Principal of the Neel Giri School welcomed the guests. He talked about the need to educate the mind as well as train the body. Former Cabinet Minister Hon. Ek Nath Dhakal called for one minute of silence in memory of Father Moon. Mr. Santosh Kumar Paudel read the message of Dr. Thomas G. Walsh, President of UFP International. Third Dan Black Belt instructor, Mr. John Marc Hinacay, read UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message. Dr. Robert Kittel, Director of Education for UPF-Asia, urged the students to become pillars of goodness and use their strength to stand for goodness.
Play Football Make Peace
A football tournament was jointly organized by Duwakot Community, the Youth Federation for World Peace, and UPF-Nepal. There were 24 football teams in the championship and Hon. Ek Nath Dhakal inaugurated the program. Local leaders from various political parties, community-based institutions, youth organizations, and students participated. Mr. Santosh Paudel read the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's message.
Student Interaction and Prayer Mediation
At the Shanti Sewa Ashram the UN International Day of Peace was celebrated where 120 students from six schools participating in a day-long event. The program started with a peace song by the students of the Hindu Vidya Peeth. Mr. Piya Ratna Maharjan from UPF-Nepal was asked to light the inaugural lamp. He then read the message of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The director of the ashram, Dr. Chintamani Yogi, read the message from Dr. Thomas G. Walsh and then directed the students in silent mediation. Dr. Chanaki Chalaigain, one of the first Nepalese to receive a Ph.D. from the United States, gave a special presentation on the importance of positive thinking.
See also reports from other nations of observances of the International Day of Peace 2013.