Bhutan Cricket, Health Ministry Scandal, and Marathon Victory Headline Pokhara's Busy September
Pokhara and Gandaki Province had a full September in 2026, with Bhutan's national cricket team choosing the city as a training base ahead of an ICC T20 World Cup Asia qualifier, a bribery scandal unseating the Gandaki Province health secretary, and the fifth edition of the Right to Protein Pokhara Run crowning new champions. The month also brought international aviation news with flydubai poised to launch direct flights to Pokhara, and local business activity including the debut of Changan's NEVO Q05 electric SUV in the city.
🎉 Bhutan's National Cricket Team Arrives in Pokhara to Prepare for ICC T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier
Bhutan's national men's cricket team traveled to Pokhara for four friendly practice matches to prepare for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Asia Sub-Regional Qualifier 'A', scheduled to begin in Malaysia on October 3. The matches were arranged with the cooperation of the Cricket Association of Nepal and organized by the Gandaki Province Regional Association, according to Gandaki Provincial Cricket Association Chairman Sanjaykant Sigdel. Bhutan selected Pokhara as its pre-tournament training destination because of the city's cricket infrastructure and its growing reputation as a hub for sports tourism. Under the schedule confirmed by the association, Bhutan will play practice matches against the Gandaki Province Cricket Team on October 11 and 12, and against the CAN-11 selection on October 14 and 15, all at the Pokhara Cricket Ground. The first warm-up game, between Bhutan and the Gandaki Province team on September 27, was timed to coincide with World Tourism Day, deliberately linking cricket to Pokhara's tourism promotion efforts. Association Secretary Sumanraj Karki noted that Bhutan's visit would strengthen international sporting ties and help position Pokhara as a venue for national and international cricket. The Gandaki Provincial Cricket Association has articulated a long-term vision of establishing Pokhara as a center for both domestic and international cricket activity, and the Bhutan partnership is a meaningful step toward realizing that goal. Both Bhutan and Nepal are ICC members competing in the Asia Sub-Regional qualifiers pathway. [2]
🗳️ Gandaki Health Secretary Removed After Bribery Allegations Surface Against Former Minister Laxman Bahadur Pandey
The Gandaki provincial government removed Health Secretary Dr. Yuva Nidhi Basaula from his duties amid a bribery scandal involving former Health Minister Laxman Bahadur Pandey. The allegations centered on the approval to upgrade Padma Nursing Home in Pokhara from a 50-bed to a 100-bed facility, with claims that the former minister, his secretariat, and the health ministry secretary had negotiated a bribe in connection with granting the permission. Journalist Apil Tripathi publicized the allegations through a video on the YouTube channel 'Gandaki Chhadke,' claiming that a bribe of Rs 3 million had been negotiated. While Pandey denied receiving any bribe, it was reported that neither the former minister nor his secretariat explicitly denied the alleged negotiations. The Gandaki provincial Cabinet, responding to the public controversy, decided to relieve Dr. Basaula of his responsibilities at the Health Ministry and reassign him to the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers pending further action. Government spokesperson and Finance Minister Jit Bahadur Sherchan confirmed the Cabinet's decision. The case highlighted ongoing concerns about governance and accountability in Nepal's provincial administrations, and the swift removal of the health secretary signaled that the Gandaki government was seeking to contain the political fallout from the scandal before it widened further into a broader inquiry of the former minister's tenure. [7]
🎉 Binod Rokaya and Nisha Sarki Claim Half-Marathon Titles at Fifth Right to Protein Pokhara Run
The fifth edition of the Right to Protein Pokhara Run delivered competitive racing as Binod Rokaya and Nisha Sarki claimed the men's and women's half-marathon titles at the event held on Saturday. Rokaya completed the 21km men's race in a winning time of 1 hour, 7 minutes and 20 seconds, finishing ahead of Sushil Kumar Shahi in second place (1:08:05) and a third-place finisher in 1:08:14. Narendra Singh Rawal and Sanjay Shrestha rounded out the top five in the men's half-marathon in 1:08:50 and 1:09:09, respectively. In the women's half-marathon, Sarki won with a time of 1:21:47, followed by Nirmala KC in second (1:24:00) and Ashma BK in third (1:27:50). Rayalaxmi Rawal and Dipa Basnet completed the top five in the women's category. The 10km men's race was won by Rupesh Karki in 31 minutes 34.60 seconds, with Umesh Thapa finishing second (32:06.08) and Dhiraj Limbu third (32:28.42). The Right to Protein Pokhara Run has established itself as one of the notable running events in Gandaki Province over its five editions, attracting competitive runners from across Nepal to race through the scenic city. The event promotes sports participation alongside its nutrition awareness messaging, and the 2026 edition continued to draw a strong competitive field across both the half-marathon and 10km distances. [5]
🏢 flydubai Set to Become First UAE Carrier Offering Direct Flights to Pokhara
flydubai, the Dubai-based budget airline, is set to become the first UAE carrier to operate direct flights to Pokhara International Airport, according to a Business Traveller report. The announcement carries significance for the tens of thousands of Nepali workers employed in the Gulf region and for South Asian travelers who seek connectivity between the UAE and Pokhara. Pokhara, Nepal's second-largest city and a major tourism and trekking hub, has been working to increase its international flight connections since the opening of Pokhara International Airport. A direct link with Dubai would eliminate the need for travelers between the Gulf and Gandaki Province to transit through Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport, reducing journey times and costs for workers, students, and tourists. The UAE is one of the primary destinations for Nepali migrant labor, with a large community of workers based in Dubai and other emirates; many are from the Gandaki Province region and currently must fly home via Kathmandu. The flydubai service would also enhance Pokhara's appeal as an international gateway for adventure tourism, making it easier for travelers from across the Middle East and South Asia to reach the Annapurna trekking region directly. The route would represent a significant expansion of international connectivity for western Nepal and reinforce Pokhara International Airport's ambitions as a regional aviation hub. [6]
🏢 Changan's NEVO Q05 Electric SUV Makes Its Pokhara Debut via MAW Vriddhi Autocorp
Changan Automobile's electric SUV, the NEVO Q05, was unveiled in Pokhara by the vehicle's authorized distributor MAW Vriddhi Autocorp at an event in the city on Ashwin 4, 2083 of the Nepali calendar — September 20, 2026 — with the Ultra variant presented to attendees. The launch in Pokhara reflects the city's increasing importance as a commercial center in Gandaki Province and its role as a market for emerging electric vehicle products. Nepal has seen rising interest in electric vehicles in recent years, driven by the country's hydroelectric power resources, which make electricity a comparatively affordable fuel relative to imported petroleum. Changan, a major Chinese automaker, has been working to expand its presence in the South Asian market, and the NEVO Q05 launch in Pokhara is part of that regional push. The choice of Pokhara as a launch venue signals that automotive brands are increasingly targeting Nepal's provincial cities rather than limiting launches to Kathmandu. For consumers in the Gandaki Province region, the availability of a new electric SUV option represents a broadening of the Nepali electric vehicle market beyond budget segment models. The event at Pokhara was reported by Ekantipur, part of the Kantipur Media Group, Nepal's leading media organization, giving the launch wide national coverage. [4]
Sources: [2] Ratopati · [7] Onlinekhabar English · [5] The Tourism Times · [6] Business Traveller · [4] Ekantipur