SPORTS BRIEFS: National Campus storms into QF

KATHMANDU, Dec 22: National Campus on Thursday stormed into the quarterfinal of boys´ section in The Professional 17th Gyan Carnival Inter-college (10+2) Basketball Tournament being held in the capital.



National registered a comfortable 75-23 win over VS Niketan taking lead in all the four quarters. Saswat Singh contributed 13 points for National´s victory. Similarly, Nobel College emerged victorious under girls´ round robin league. Nobel edged past Trinity 29-17 riding on eight points of Eva Malla. [break]


South Asian Sambo from Saturday


KATHMANDU: First South Asian Sambo Tournament will be held in Kathmandu from Saturday. According to Dhananjaya Shrestha, president of Nepal Sambo Federation, the event to be contested by four South Asian countries will be held at Multipurpose Martial Arts Center, Nayabazaar.



Nepal will have the highest 60 players while 29 from India, 22 from Afghanistan and six players from Bhutan will compete in the event. The two-day martial arts event will feature events in 27 categories, including sambo and combat. The expected cost of the event is Rs 3.4 million.



Bajracharya to meet Khatri in final


KATHMANDU: Samrakshan Bhusan Bajracharya set up a final clash against Deepesh Khatri in the U-10 boys´ singles of the 10th Jaykar Memorial Junior National Open Tennis Tournament.



Bajracharya pulled off a hard fought 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 victory over Renjen Lama on Thursday at the Satdobato Tennis Court. Bajracharya took 2 hours 45 minutes to seal the victory and it was the longest match of Nepali tennis in the U-10 category.



Khatri, however, achieved an easy victory over Pranab Khanal. Khatri defeated Khanal in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2.



Meanwhile, Abhishek Banstola is set to take on Ivannoe Lissanevitch in the final of U-14 boys´ singles. Banstola edged past Avay Gauchan 6-1, 6-2 while Lissanevitch outclassed Sudarshan Sigdel 6-2, 6-0.



Likewise, Mayanka Rana and Bijisha Shrestha reached the final of U-12 girls´ singles. Mayanka defeated her twin sister Mahika 6-4, 6-2 in the semifinal while Shrestha struggled past Karuna Gauchan 6-2, 7-5 in the next semifinal on Thursday.



In U-12 boys´ singles, Saksham Karki beat Sundar KC 6-2, 6-1 to book his berth in the final. Karki will take on Samrakshan Bhusan Bajracharya, who pulled 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 victory over Jeewan Singh Gharti Magar in the semifinal.



Gurung maintains lead


KATHMANDU: Norbu Gurung of the host Manang Marshyangdi Club took the lead on Thursday after the completion of the second day in the First Haldamba Lohsar Archery Championship. Gurung, who was on top with two points on Wednesday, added four points on Thursday. He received Rs 13,500 for the excellent performance. Kumar Paija of Myagdi Magar Society has five points in his kitty and the second position.



Paija got Rs 12,300 for his performance on Thursday. Jit Ghale has also equal five points after the first two days. Championship coordinator Chimi Urken Gurung handed over the cash prizes to the archers.


Double delights for host

BANEPA: The A and B team of the host Nepal Police Higher Secondary School, Sanga as well as Army School, Bhaktapur and Nepal Police School, Belchautara, Tanahu reached the semifinal of the 20th IGP Cup football tournament on Thursday. The A team of the Nepal Police School, Sanga defeated Malpi International School 2-0 while B team thrashed Famous Boarding School, Sanga 3-0.



Likewise, Army School beat Dhulikhel English School 1-0 and Police School Samakhushi gave walkover to Nepal Police School, Belchautara in the last quarterfinal match.



Leader Birgunj held by Sano Gaucharan

KATHMANDU: Relegation battlers Sano Gaucharan Yuva Club produced an astonishing result on Thursday as it held leader Birgunj Youth Club to a 1-1 draw in the Martyrs Memorial Red Bull B Division Football League.



During the match held at Nepal Police Academy, Maharajgunj, Sano Gaucharan took 35th minute lead through Sailendra Byanjankar but Anil Patel hit back the equalizer for Birgunj five minutes later, giving continuity to its unbeaten run. The result, however, was sufficient for Sano Gaucharan to move two points clear at the top of table with 22 points.



Playing equal 10 matches, second placed Star Club has 20 points. Sano Gaucharan remained unchanged in the 12th place with eight points.

In another match, Laligurans Pulchowk Sports Club and Samajik Yuva Club played goalless draw. Pulchowk with 19 points and Samajik with 11 points remained constant in fourth and 11th places respectively. Both of them have played 10 matches apiece.

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