SPORTS BRIEFS: Nepal finishes with draw

KATHMANDU, May 26: Nepali youth team played a 2-2 draw against host Tajikistan during its last match of the AFC U-14 Regional Festival of Football held in Dushanbe. Nepal which had won both of its previous group matches, the home team came from two goals deficit to earn draw.

According to All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), Manish Thapa netted in the 13th minute and Nitin Thapa scored in the 34th minute in 60 minute match. Tajikistan reduced the gap with a goal in the 48th and the equalizer four minutes later. Nepal had started the match with 1-0 win over Pakistan and 2-0 win over Afghanistan.

Sports journalist training in Pokhara
KATHMANDU: A three-day long sports journalist training kicked off on Tuesday in Pokhara, organized by Kaski Coordination Committee of Nepal Sports Journalists Forum (NSJF). Altogether 40 journalists have been registered for the training, which is also assisted by Kaski District Sports Development Committee, Pokhara Sub-metropolitan City Office and Sahara Club of Pokhara, according Sandesh Shrestha, vice president of the coordination committee. The training will mainly be focused on the reporting of cricket, golf, volleyball and football. NSJF central committee representatives Ajay Phuyal, Mahesh Acharya, Devendra Subedi, Pawan Acharya and DB Nepali are the instructors.

Support to Bhomjan's family
KATHMANDU: Players of Pokhara and Sahara Club of Pokhara on Tuesday donated Rs 45,555 for the fund established by Nepal Sports Journalist Forum (NSJF) to support family of deceased sports journalist Suman Bhomjan. Footballer Anil Gurung, volleyball players Manju Gurung, Sipora Gurung and Pariksha Gurung gave Rs 30,000 jointly, while Sahara Club provided Rs 15,555. They handed over the amount to NSJF President Ajay Phuyal during a program organized in Pokhara. Likewise, Sipora starred movie Yamphawati's producer Thumro International gave Rs 11,111 for Bhomjan family. Meanwhile, the Players also donated Rs 30,000 to the family of deceased volleyball coach Keshab Lal Shrestha.

Solidarity program for quake affected children by NSC
KATHMANDU: National Sports Council (NSC) on Tuesday organized solidarity program aiming to reduce trauma among the children caused by last month's devastating earthquake. The NSC organized entertaining games and physical exercises at the Sports Science Academy of Satdobato, Lalitpur for the children affected by quake. Around 200 participants, including children, parents and other, took part in the program. Self-styled spiritual leader Yogi Bikashananda gave advises on remaining safe during the earthquake, according to

NTA cleans NSC premises
KATHMANDU: Nepal Taekwondo Association (NTA) on Tuesday cleaned the premises of National Sports Council. Officials, coaches and volunteers had cleaned the debris caused by earthquake, according to Deep Raj Gurung, general secretary of NTA, which has also been involved in relief distribution programs.