KATHMANDU, Nepal –Five Turkish mountaineers who have summitted Mt. Everest, the world’s highest peak, have been facilitated amidst a function in Istanbul, the Turkish capital. The climbers were conferred with special commemorative medals at the programme organized by Nepal Tourism Board, in co-ordination with Nepalese Honorary Consul General Prof. Dr. F. Gunseli Malkoc and Honorary Public Relations Representative in Turkey Mr. Baris Malkoc, in Istanbul on 28 January 2014.
Among the climbers receiving medals include Tunch Findik, the first Turkish to summit Everest from Nepali side and Ali Nasuh Mahruki, the first Muslim climber to summit Everest. Also mountaineers Mustafa Kalayci, Firat Eren and Yilmaz Sevgul were felicitated in the programme.
The special programme was organized to commemorate the ongoing Mt. Everest Diamond Jubilee Celebration program, the NTB said in a press release.
“Speaking on behalf of the medal recipients, mountaineers Findik and Mahruki expressed joy and gratitude to the Nepal government for this recognition and reiterated their commitment in promoting Nepal’s mountains, and Nepal too,” the NTB said.
In the program attended by the local tour operators, media and aviation industry among others Nandini Lahe Thapa, Sr. Director, NTB, presented the diverse facets of Nepal’s tourism to the assembly.
In a lucky draw organized during the programme by NTB in partnership with the Turkish Airlines, in which Ekrem Kufteoglu and Artin Sirinpinar were chosen for the all-expenses-paid tour to Nepal.