SPORTS BRIEFS: Athlete appreciate government's decision to hike prizes

KATHMANDU: Nepal National and International Players´ Association (NNIPA) and Nepal Olympian Association (NOA) expressed their gratitude toward the government and the National Sports Council (NSC) for the announcement to raise the amount of cash prize to be awarded to the athletes who win medals in international events. The government had recently approved an NSC proposal to hike the cash prizes and also to provide Rs 2.5 million to any player who retires after winning three international golds. “We would like to express our gratitude to Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, who is the patron of the NSC, for the approval and we would also like to thank NSC Member Secretary Yuvaraj Lama and the NSC family for putting forward the proposal to increase the cash incentives,” reads a joint statement released by NNIPA President Deepak Bista and NOA President Sunil Lal Joshi.



Gyanodaya, Daffodil in final

KATHMANDU: Host Gyanodaya has set up a title clash with Daffodil in the girls´ basketball event of the 19th Eicher Gyan Carnival after winning its respective matches on Monday. Gyanodaya beat Malpi International 36-27 at its home court in Khokana. Gautami Bhattachan scored 24 points for the winning team. Meanwhile, Daffodil thrashed Galaxy 53-22 to reach the final. In the semifinal matches of boys´ basketball, The Excelsior defeated Gyanodaya 75-62 while Malpi saw off Galaxy 40-37 to advance into the final. In the boys´ football, Army School beat Little Angels´ 3-0. Army School will face Kathmandu Valley School in the final. Meanwhile, Deep Jyoti will lock horns with Springdale in the final of the boys´ volleyball.



Maharjan into third round

KATHMANDU : Ram Kumar Maharjan of Exclusive Snooker House advanced into the third round of the London Open Snooker Championship on Monday. Maharjan defeated Sujan Shrestha 4-3 in the second round match held at the London Snooker House at Manbhavan. In other second round matches, Keshar Malla defeated Sumesh Lama 4-3, Nirman Bogati beat Regan Shrestha 4-3 and Lopsang thrashed Rakesh Maharjan 4-0. Ajit Lama and Dipjal Dhungama also won their respective matches.



Sahara Hong Kong committee formed

KATHMANDU: A new branch of Sahara Club of Pokhara has been formed in Hong Kong. The club, Sahara Club Hong Kong, has formed a 15-member ad hoc committee under the leadership of Deepak Gurung. Anil Gurung and Renuka are the vice-presidents. Bill Tamang, Khum Bahadur Gurung are the general secretary and secretary respectively while Sumita Gurung and Kumar Gurung are the treasurer and co-treasurer respectively. Tilak Gurung, Manoj Gurung, Kishan Gurung, Ramesh Pun, Maya Gurung, Ganesh Gurung, Buddha Gurung and Bikash Gurung are the members of the committee. Sahara Club has a committee in England named Sahara UK. Sahara Club of Pokhara, the mother organization, is a social organization working for social welfare, especially through football.



Nepal to face Sri Lanka in first match

KATHMANDU: Nepal will take on Sri Lanka in its first match of the ACC Women´s T20 Asia Cup to be held in Guangzhou, China from October 24 to 31. Nepal will play Sri Lanka on October 25. According to the draw for the tournament published by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on Monday, Nepal has been drawn in Group B along with Bangladesh, China and Sri Lanka. Hong Kong, India, Pakistan and Thailand are in Group A. Nepal will face Bangladesh on October 26 and China on October 29.

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