POKHARA, Jan 7: Gyanu Baba Higher Secondary School, Pokhara and Nepal Police Club started on a winning note in the International Invitational Women´s Volleyball Tournament that kicked off Monday.
Gyanu Baba, under the captainship of national player Manju Gurung, edged past Fishtail Higher Secondary School, Pokhara 25-15, 25-12, 16-25, 25-10. Gyanu Baba had won the title of the First Wai-Wai International Invitational Women´s Volleyball Tournament held in Pokhara last year. [break]In a bid to lift its second title at home, Gyanu Baba has enrolled three players -- Rishisara Thapa, Bimala Chaudhary and Manisha Chaudhary -- from Tops Higher Secondary School.
In the second match of the day, Dhorpatan Cup champion Nepal Police Club defeated New Diamond Academy, Kathmandu 25-16, 25-11, 8-25, 25-19.
Nepal Volleyball Association (NVA) President Dan Bahadur Tamang inaugurated the tournament organized by Nepal Volleyball Association, Western Regional Committee. Altogether seven teams -- five from Nepal and two from India -- are participating in the tournament.
According to tournament coordinator Chhyam Bahadur Thapa, the tournament will be played in league-cum-knockout format. The winner of the tournament will receive Rs 101,111 while the runner-up will get Rs 50,555. The third-place holder will bag Rs 20,222. According to Thapa, there are individual awards in six different categories, including best player, spiker, quicker and defender.
The tournament aims to raise money for building a volleyball covered hall in Pokhara. Shin Ramyun, Korean brand of instant noodles produced by Nong Shim Ltd, is the tournament sponsor.