Kathmandu, January 22

National Youth Campaign is organising the  first National Men’s Volleyball Running Shield Tournament here from February  21-24.

A total of eight teams — three departmental sides and five  development regions — will take part in the tournament which is the biggest event in terms of cash prizes, informed National Youth  Campaign Spokesperson Tekendra Joshi at a press meet today.

The top two teams will receive Rs 350,000 and Rs  200,000 respectively, while the two losing semi-finalists will get Rs 50,000 each. The best player of the tournament will get Rs  25,000, while fair play team and best individuals will receive Rs 10,000 each.

Tournament coordinator Kumar Gurung informed that the event  will cost Rs 2.2 million and participating teams will be provided with  accommodation and transportation expenses apart from daily allowance of Rs 200 for the players. “We are organising the tournament to encourage the players and provide a platform to them,” said  Gurung.

Nepal Volleyball Association President Manoranjan Raman Sharma said he was happy with the association with National Youth Campaign, sister wing of Naya Shakti Party. He also urged the authorities to declare volleyball as the national sport. NVA General Secretary Jitendra Bahadur Chand was also present on the occasion.