As the winner of the tournament, Army bagged a cash award of Rs 300,000, while Police, as the runner up, took home Rs 150,000.
Army bettered Police 25-19 in the first set and overcame the arch rival 25-13 in the second set. The home team was made to work harder in the third set, though it wrapped up 25-21 ending Police's hope of prolonging the match to fourth set.
It was the first victory of Army over departmental rival in last six years. The last time Army had defeated Police was during Workers Cup in Bhaktapur on 2010.
Police, studded with the likes of experienced players like national team skipper Im Rana Magar, Sanjay Aryal, Hari Thapa and Dev Sharma, failed to work its magic on the court and put pressure on Army in any of the three sets, while Army players, with majority of new faces, were too strong from the onset of the match.
Army coach Kapil Kishor Shrestha, one of the most successful coaches of Nepal, helped Army to win second title within six months. He had helped Army to claim the title of the Keshab Memorial Volleyball beating APF in Hetauda.
Coach Shrestha, who joined Army nearly a year ago, said that Army has become the best team in the country.
“My target was to help Army become the best team of the country. Police had not participated in Hetauda and now the target of becoming number one team in the country has been finally accomplished after the victory over Police,” said Shrestha.
“The team with young players played with high morale from the beginning. I had not thought the young players would be this strong, but they continued their domination till the last moment,” he added.
Meanwhile, Police coach Saroj Shrestha, who was debuting as a coach, noted that his team flopped due to poor spike.
“We failed in the area of spike. Chances of bouncing back in the match is possible through offensive style of play and spikes. But our spikers, except Sanjay, failed to impress,” said Shrestha, who had represented Nepali team on three occasions in the South Asian Games.
Meanwhile, Army's B team finished third with 3-1 sets victory over APF on the same day and claimed Rs 75,000.
Dhan Bahadur Bhatta of Army was adjudged best player of the tournament and got a motorbike.
Man Bahadur Shrestha, Ishwar Thapa and Bhairab Bam of Army won best spike, defender and blocker awards, respectively, and coach Kapil Kishor Shrestha of the Army was adjudged the best coach. Similarly, Im Bahadur Rana of Police claimed best lifter award. Each of the individual prize winners were awarded with Rs 10,000.
Meanwhile, Nepali U-23 football team goalkeeper Bikesh Kuthu was honored with Rs 50,000 during the award distribution function held at the end of the game. He was the member of the U-23 men's football team that claimed gold in the 12th South Asian Games held recently in India.
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