Police edged past five-time champion Gyanu Baba Higher Secondary School of Pokhara 25-23, 25-14, 19-25, 25-23 in the last match of the league played at New Bus Park, Kathmandu. Gyanu Baba had defeated Police in the first leg of the tournament.[break]
The title decider was earlier played on Wednesday, but the organizers had stopped the match halfway through due to bad light. Gyanu Baba was ahead two sets to one when the match was called off on Wednesday.
Both Police and Gyanu Baba were level on 27 points after Thursday´s match. However, the organizers declared Police as the winner on the basis of better point average.
“Our players got injured during the league and they gave everything on Wednesday to win the title, but the organizers called off the match. Our players were exhausted today. The organizers had told us that the winner would be decided on the basis of better set average, but they decided it on the basis of better point average,” said Manju Gurung, the captain of Gyanu Baba.
“Our players blocked them (Gyanu Baba) well today and their spikers didn´t get a chance to open up,” said Rupesh Bista, the assistant coach of Police. “It was a sweet revenge for us as Gyanu Baba had beaten us in the International Volleyball Tournament held in Pokhara last month and also in the first leg of this tournament,” he added.
Champion Police received Rs 220,000, while runner-up Gyanu Baba got Rs 110,000.
Three players get scooters
Ramila Tandukar of New Diamond was declared the best player based on audience voting. Tandukar, who won the award for the consecutive second year, received 2,503 votes while her nearest rival Aruna Shahi of Gyanu Baba got 841 votes. Tandukar received a TVS scooter.
Chuda Khadka of Police and Manju Gurung of Gyanu Baba were adjudged ´Dhorpatan Player of the Year´ and ´Player of the Series´ respectively. Khadka and Gurung also received a TVS scooter each.
Likewise, Binita Budhathoki (APF), Usha Bista (APF), Salina Shrestha (New Diamond), Chuda Khadka (Police), Ramila Tandukar (New Diamond), Manju Gurung (Gyanu Baba), Sudesh Rimal (Police), Shubha Kanya Gurung (Gyanu Baba) and Aruna Shahi (Gyanu Baba) received the best lifter, best blocker, best defender, best quicker, best spiker, best server, best coach, best team manager and valuable player awards, respectively.
Altogether nine teams had participated in the tournament.
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