The China Foundation for Rural Development officially launched the Panda Pack Sports Kit project in Nepal on Thursday.

The initiative, funded by Alibaba Philanthropy, aims to foster the Olympic spirit among Nepali youth by promoting unity, fair competition, and excellence.

The event was attended by Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Minister Badri Pandey, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song, and Nepal Tourism Board CEO Deepak Raj Joshi among others.

At the ceremony, Zou Zhiqiang, country director of the China Foundation for Rural Development's Nepal office, handed over a plaque for 1,500 sports kits worth 1.5 million RMB (Rs28 million) to Nepal Olympic Committee President Jeevan Shrestha. The kits will be distributed to 200 government schools across Nepal, benefiting primary and secondary school students.

Each sports kit includes footballs, volleyballs, basketballs, table tennis equipment, badminton rackets, jump ropes, training cones, vests, frisbees, and whistles. Director Zou expressed hope that the donation would encourage sports participation among Nepali youth and contribute to the development of physical education in Nepali schools.

Jeevan Shrestha thanked Alibaba Philanthropy and the China Foundation for Rural Development for their support, stating that the donation would help shape young athletes by fostering resilience, teamwork, and a pursuit of excellence. He emphasised that the initiative would further strengthen Nepal-China relations.

On Thursday, the foundation distributed 60 sports kits to 10 government schools in the Nepal-India border area of Lumbini, benefiting nearly 6,000 students. The initiative also included friendly matches and skill-based competitions to encourage sports participation.

At the Lumbini International Peace Festival marathon on March 22, running bags featuring Alibaba Philanthropy and Nepal Olympic Committee logos will be distributed to student participants.

The Panda Pack Project, launched in 2019, has supported over 270,000 students in Nepal. In 2024, the initiative expanded to include sports kits and cultural exchanges to further promote friendship between China and project countries.