SIRC Charity Golf Tournament

Tashi Ghale, the winner.

The Spinal Injury Rehabilitation Centre (SIRC), opened by Sir Edmund Hillary in April 2003, does not receive any government support and raises its own funds through a variety of creative means. The SIRC Charity Golf Tournament was organized at the nearby Gokarna Forest Golf Resort on 21 March 2004 as an effort to tap golfers as a source of support for the spinally injured.

Said Esha Thapa, Director of the Centre, “The game of golf requires strong backs and spines, so we felt it appropriate to reach out to golfers for the support of the unfortunate victims of spinal injury. Spinal cord injury affects disproportionately those from low income backgrounds, especially women and men falling off trees, cliffs and high trails.”

The charity golf tournament provided a fun-filled day for both the golfers navigating their way round the challenging par 72 golf course, as well as non-golfers engaged in the practice range, putting competition, or just enjoying the pristine Gokarna forest amidst which the golf course is situated. Two patients from SIRC, Arjun Jirel and Suniel KC, were also present, and were much relaxed amidst the lush greenery. Said Arjun, breathing in the fresh air, “I had never been to a place like this before. It is like heaven on earth.”

The Tournament is meant to be an annual affair, and as it gets better known over the years it will hopefully provide both funds for SIRC as well as the public with information about its work. Besides the many exotic prizes on offer, the highlight of the First SIRC Charity Golf Tournament was the running trophy, made of glass crystal. The design is by by Kathmandu artist Bilash Rai, based on the stylised logo of the human spine that is the SIRC’s logo, and the trophy was crafted in Dubai.

Arjun Jirel, giving away the awards.

The awards were handed out by Arjun Jirel, sitting on his wheelchair. Tsultrim Lama was the proud winner of the running trophy he took home. A. Tonil Rusten took the first prize for women. Tashi Ghale won the prize for the best gross score, while Major Nima Lama was recognized as the senior-most player. C.B Bhandari got the prize for the most birdies and Shanta Bahadur Basnet was mentioned for best sportsmanship.

To coincide with the golf tournament, the Centre has put up a billboard next to the Bagmati river bridge, next to SIRC and on the way to the Gokarna Forest Golf Resort, showing a golfer in full swing and a message that reads, “Thank you for remembering the spinally injured.”