Nepalgunj, February 25

Defending champions Indian Railway Volleyball Team and Nepal APF Club recorded wins in the fourth PM Cup Women’s Volleyball Tournament here at the Nepalgunj Stadium covered hall today.

Indian Railway defeated Nepal Police Club and APF thrashed Barshat Association of India in straight sets. Indian Railway claimed the first set comfortably 25-12 and never looked back. They took the next two sets 25-16 and 25-14 to begin the title defense campaign with ease.

NPC coach Bharat Shah said his side lost the match as the team consisted new players. “We tried to put up a good show against the Indian side but as the team had new players they failed to meet the expectations,” said Shah. Indian Railway’s coach Dipti Ghosh said they came to Nepalgunj with the aim of winning the title. “The NPC were good in team work and are capable of winning matches. But, we are here to defend title,” he said.

In the day’s another match, APF struggled against another Indian team, Barshat Association in the first set before taking it 25-17. The departmental side then dominated the play to win the second and third sets 25-5 and 25-6 respectively.

A total of six teams — NPC, APF, Tribhuvan Army Club, Mid-western Region, Indian Railway and Barshat Association — are competing in the tournament organised by Banke District Volleyball Association. The winners and runners-up will receive Rs 111,000 and Rs 55,000 respectively, while the third-place team will get Rs 35,000. Earlier, Minister for Youth and Sports Daljit Sripaili inaugurated the tournament.