Nepal scored 67 points to finish in the second position in the new event of equestrian. India clinched the gold medal with 70 points and host Sri Lanka remained satisfied in the third position with 63 points. Khad Bahadur Karki, Dhurba Prashad Aryal, Lila Bahadur Kunwar and Khil Dhoj Khadka were the silver medal winners of the indian team event. [break]
Nepal had participated in the equestrian event as a test but they won more medals than any other well known games. Nepal has won five medals from equestrian event with a gold, two silver and two bronze medals. In total, Nepal won eight medals, including one bronze each from football and men’s and women’s kabaddi.
Nepali players had lost all events in the individual category in the equestrian indian final. Nepali team´s captain Karki said that the team mates were happy to earn medals for Nepal without having proper knowledge of the game´s rules. “If we had more time for practice and enough knowledge about the game we would have performed better in the tournament.”
After winning the only gold medal of the beach games, Dhurba Prasad Aryal said that the exhaustion of traveling vanished after winning the only medal.
Chef-de-mission of Nepali team Lama Tendi Sherpa said that Nepal can win medal in equestrian event if they pay proper attention. “Nepal has the potential of winning medals in equestrian event in the Asian level games as well.”
Along with Nepal, India, Pakistan and host Sri Lanka had participated in the equestrian event. India and Pakistan earlier were considered to be the teams having maximum potential of winning medals.
Meanwhile, happiness pervaded Hambantota as National Sports Council Member Secretary Yubaraj Lama was asked to give away the awards to medal winners of the beach games.
VOLLEYBALL
Nepal finished in the fourth position of women’s volleyball after they lost to India in the third place playoff. Nepal lost 2-1 against India in the last match of the tournament. Nepal had taken first set 21-14 but lost the second and third 16-21, 10-15. Nita Shah was suffering from fever during the third place playoff so she failed to perform well.
Nepal had earlier defeated India in the league round. After the match, Shah said they had defeated India in the earlier matches and were confident of winning the match against India. “Due to my illness I could not put in my full effort.”
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