Rastrapati Running Shield

The Rastrapati Running Shield is Nepal’s premier school-level sports competition conducted annually under the Ministry of Youth and Sports and coordinated by the National Sports Council.

The competition is guided by the Rastrapati Running Shield Competition Directive, 2070 (with amendments up to 2080), which ensures a structured, disciplined, and nationwide implementation of school sports competitions.

As per the directive, this competition is defined as a sporting event among students studying up to Grade 12 and below 18 years of age within the same academic session.

Objective

• Provide a national platform for school-level athletes
• Promote sports culture at grassroots level
• Identify and develop future national athletes
• Ensure systematic competition from local to central level

Eligibility

• Students studying up to Grade 12
• Must be under 18 years of age
• Must be enrolled in recognized schools or equivalent institutions
• Birth registration certificate is mandatory for participation

Competition Structure

The competition follows a four-tier system:

Local Level

• Inter-school competition within local governments
• Each school submits players through prescribed forms
• Each local level can send:
  • One team per team event
  • Up to three players per individual event

District Level

• Participants selected from local level compete
• Qualification rules:
  • If fewer than 5 local levels: top 3 qualify
  • If 5 or more: top 2 qualify

Provincial Level

• Organized by Provincial Sports Councils
• Each district sends:
  • One team per team event
  • Up to two players per individual event

Central Level

• Participation from all seven provinces
• Organized by the National Sports Council
• Largest junior-level sports competition in Nepal

Participation Provisions

Local and District Level

• Athletics: Each athlete can participate in
  • Maximum one field + two track events or
  • Two field + one track event
• Volleyball: Maximum 9 players per team
• Team events: Only one team per local level
• Martial arts: Players selected based on weight categories

Provincial Level Participation

• Volleyball: Up to 9 players + 1 coach
• Athletics: Up to 11 players + 1 coach
• Kabaddi: Up to 9 players + 1 coach
• Martial Arts: Category-wise selected players
• Additional officials included
• Total team size can reach up to 111 participants

Central Level Participation

• Volleyball: 10 players (boys/girls) + 2 coaches
• Athletics: 11 players (boys/girls) + 2 coaches
• Kabaddi: 10 players + 2 coaches
• Martial Arts: 36 players (weight-category winners)
• Additional manager, team leader, and deputy leader included
• Total participation: Up to 115
• At least one female official required in volleyball and kabaddi teams

Event Timeline (As per Directive)

• Local Level: Up to Kartik (Ashoj for Himalayan districts)
• District Level: Up to Poush (Mangsir for Himalayan districts)
• Provincial Level: Up to Magh
• Central Level: Up to Falgun

Selection and Qualification Rules

• Local competitions determine district participants
• District winners advance to the provincial level
• Provincial winners are selected for the central level
• Athletics and martial arts winners directly qualify upward

Awards and Recognition

Individual Events

• Gold, Silver, Bronze medals
• Certificates and cash prizes

Team Events

• Medals and cash prizes for all team members
• Certificates provided

Special Awards

• Cash prize for breaking national junior records (athletics)
• Best performer recognition

Running Shield Provision

• The winning team receives the Running Shield annually
• A team winning three consecutive times retains the shield permanently
• A new shield is introduced afterward
• Lost or damaged shields must be replaced by the responsible body

Evaluation Criteria

• Rankings based on total medal count (Gold, Silver, Bronze)
• Optional events are not counted in final ranking
• Overall winners determined accordingly

Complaint and Dispute Provision

• Complaints must be filed within 1 hour of result
• Fee structure:
  • NPR 3000 for team events
  • NPR 1000 for individual events
• 75% refund if complaint is valid

Disqualification Rules

Participants are not eligible if:

• They are international medal winners
• They violate eligibility criteria

If ineligible players win:

• Medal is withdrawn
• Award transferred to next eligible player
• Team may face disciplinary action

Logistics and Support

District to Provincial

• District committees manage:
  • Player uniforms
  • Sports flags
  • Travel expenses

Provincial to Central

• Provincial councils provide:
  • Uniforms and flags
  • Travel expenses (round trip)
  • Facilities equivalent to government first-class standard

Insurance

• Mandatory accident insurance for participants at all levels

Event Management

• Organized through committees at:
  • Local Level
  • District Level
  • Provincial Level
  • Central Level
• Organizer must prepare:
  • Match fixtures (tie-sheets)
  • Reports within 7 days of completion

Significance

The Rastrapati Running Shield is Nepal’s most structured and inclusive school-level sports competition. It connects grassroots sports with national-level exposure and plays a crucial role in athlete development.