In the group that consists of four teams, both Nepal and Iraq have won their first match and have earned equal three points. [break]
Nepal defeated Bahrain 2-0 and Iraq thumped Turkmenistan 8-0 in their first match on Wednesday. In the day´s kick off, Bahrain will lock horns with Turkmenistan. The group winner will confirm its place in the finals to be held next year in Thailand. Along with the group winner from all 10 groups, the best five runners up will qualify for 16-team final.
APF national volleyball from Oct 2
KATHMANDU (REPUBLICA): Armed Police Force (APF) is organizing the First National Open Women´s Volleyball Tournament from October 2 to 6 in the capital on the occasion of the 13th anniversary of the force.
The event to be organized by the central sports committee of APF carries the highest cash prize ever in women´s volleyball with the top three team getting Rs 250,000, Rs 125,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively, said APF AIG Durja Kumar Rai during a press meet at its headquarters Halchowk, Kathmandu.
The opening match will be held at the APF court in Halchowk and remaining matches at the Dasharath Stadium covered hall in Tripureshwar. According to Rai, altogether eight teams, including one team each from all the five development regions, and one each of host APF, Police and New Diamond Club will compete in the event to be held under league-cum-knockout format. The participating teams have been divided into two groups with the top two teams of each group making it to the semifinals. The estimated cost of the event is Rs 1.14 million.
NSC expresses concern; FNJ condemns
KATHMANDU (REPUBLICA): National Sports Council (NSC) has expressed serious concern over security guards deputed by All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) barring reporters from covering the AFC U-16 Championship. The security guards had also misbehaved with journalists. NSC Member Secretary Yuvaraj Lama said on Thursday that he would take the issue to NSC board and also sit with ANFA to resolve the problem.
"This is not a single incident. Barring media from covering an event is a serious issue," said Lama, after receiving a memorandum from Nepal Sports Journalist Forum (NSJF). NSJF has submitted a memorandum to NSC and the Federation of Nepali Journalist (FNJ) raising serious concerns over the incident.
NSJF has said that the journalists would not attend any sporting event at the Dasharath Stadium until they are assured of dignified access to such events. It, has however, said that it would continue to report the events. Meanwhile, FNJ central committee and Photo Journalists Club have condemned the incident and urged the concerned authority to take action against the guilty. Security persons from Garud Securities had misbehaved with more than half a dozens of reporters at the main entrance, denying them entry to the stadium on Wednesday.
Newa wins Mr Hong Kong Nepal title
KATHMANDU (REPUBLICA): Sushil Newa of Kathmandu won the title of Mister Hong Kong Nepal, the bodybuilding championship on Wednesday evening in Hong Kong. Newa also received the award for best pose in the event. Sajib Rai secured the second position while Roshan Thapa Magar finished third in the event organized by Hong Kong Nepal Bodybuilding Association.
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