Deep Saun and Nabita Shrestha, both top seeded in this tournament, maintained their dominance in the national table tennis by winning singles title in men's and women's categories respectively.
Deep recorded a 4-2 sets win over familiar opponent Purushottam Bajracharya, seeded third in the tournament, of Nepal APF Sports Club while Nabita came from a first set down to beat her teammate Rabina Maharjan 4-1.
Deep raced into three set lead with 11-1, 11-9 and 11-6 but Purushottam showed resilience winning next two consecutive sets 11-9 and 11-7, before wrapping up the game in his favor with 11-8 win the last set.
Nabita lost the first set 8-11 but bounced back and won the next four sets 11-7, 11-7, 11-3 and 11-4.
With the wins, Deep and Nabita each bagged cash prize of Rs 60,000, a record highest prize money in the domestic table tennis tournaments. Second and third place finishers took home Rs 30,000 and 10,000 each respectively.
Expressing their contentment following their achievement, both Deep and Nabita said such tournaments should be organized regularly for the development of the game.
“This kind of tournaments motivate us to work harder and achieve bigger goals,” said Nabita, who had remained on top since 2009.
“Though we play in the National Games and other national events, we hardly have three tournaments in a year. And we do not earn anything in national games. It is difficult for us to maintain our way of life and manage equipment as well. It's high time we have international exposures. We only target bronze in the South Asian Games. We fell like we are being limited,” added Nabita.
Likewise, Deep said that the tournament could be instrumental in uplifting the standard of the players and the game.
“It's a must that we have regular tournaments throughout the year. And this kind of tournaments will play pivotal role in developing new players. Most importantly, it motivates emerging players.”
Meanwhile, Krishna Thapamagar of Army and Dikshya Tamang of Lalitpur won junior boy's and girl's singles respectively.
Krishna defeated his teammate Syantu Shrestha 11-8, 11-6 and 11-4 as Diksya defeated Sonu Thapamagar of APF 12-10, 11-4 and 12-10.
The overall cost of the tournament was Rs 425,000. Players finishing until eighth position were awarded cash prizes. The tournament is being held in commemoration of late Kala Bohara, wife of former Inspector General of Police Moti Lal Bohara.
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