Army defends CoAS volleyball title

Published On: January 28, 2017 08:19 AM NPT By: Republica  | @RepublicaNepal


KATHMANDU, Jan 28: Host Tribhuvan Army Club has defended the title of  Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) 2nd National Men’s Volleyball Tournament defeating departmental rival Nepal Police Club on Friday.  In the summit clash held at Army’s Physical Training and Fitness Center, Army overcame the challenge of Police 25-23, 25-23, 25-17. 

Alongside trophy Army won a purse of Rs 300,000 while the runner-up Police was rewarded with Rs 150,000 and the third placed team Western Region was given Rs 75,000. 

After guiding Army to the title head coach Jagdish Bhatta said that his team had started the match confidently with the determination to win. “In the domestic men’s volleyball we have strongest team so we were confident of playing well to defend the title. However we couldn’t play the first two sets as per the plan. We made some mistakes that helped opponent to gather points,” said Thapa. 

“I think my players felt pressure playing at the home court with the target of win so despite making 7-8 points lead in the first two sets my players lost confidence and gifted points to the opponent,” added Thapa, “But my players played as per the instructions to seal the easy 25-17 victory in the third set.” 

Champion Army dominated in the individual prizes as Army’s Man Bahadur Shrestha was declared best player of the tournament while Dhan Bahadur Bhatta, Hari Hajur Thapa and Ishwar Thapa of the same team became best spiker, best blocker and best defender respectively. Likewise, the best coach award went to Army’s Bhatta while Police’s skipper Im Thapa Magar was given best setter. Man Bahadur was awarded with motorcycle while others received Rs 10,000 each.

Meanwhile Army’s head coach Bhatta who has been looking departmental team since 7-8 months stated that his players still need to improve some aspects. “I decided to coach Army team to contribute the national team because the departmental team is studded with seven national players and improving their technical and tactical aspects is my objective,” ended Bhatta.  He is also in national team’s head coach role as he had led Nepal in Asian Senior Men’s Central Zone Volleyball Championship held in Dhaka at the end of last year. 

On the same occasion, two former volleyball players – Bijay Bikram Khadka, Akkal Bahadur Chand-- were honored with life achievement award by Nepal Army. Those who also had served in Army service were national team members during Asian Volleyball Championship in 1977 held in China.  

In the meantime, National Sports Council (NSC)’s Keshab Kumar Bista, CoAS Rajendra Chhetri was among to distributed the prizes to the winning players and teams. 
 


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