Kathmandu, January 19

Nepali Army is organising the men’s volleyball tournament and open marathon race with a total budget of 5 million rupees.

A total of eight teams — Tribhuvan Army Club, Nepal Police Club and Nepal APF Club along with five regional sides — will take part in the second CoAS National Volleyball Tournament slated for January 22-27 at the Nepali Army Sports Complex in Lalitpur, informed Sports Department Chief Lt Col Ramkaji Rana Magar at a press meet today.

Nepal Investment Bank Limited is the main sponsor of the tournament which is being held under the auspices of Nepal Volleyball Association. The NIBL is providing the NA with Rs 1.5 million out of the total estimated budget of Rs 2.2 million for the tournament. “The NA will manage the remaining amount of Rs 700,000 from internal resources,” said Rana Magar. “We are organising the tournaments to strengthen the NA-people relation apart from contributing in the development of sports. That’s why we have chosen the theme of Sports for Friendship,” he added.

The tournament will be held under league-cum-knock out format and the top three teams will receive Rs 300,000, Rs 150,000 and Rs 75,000 respectively. The player of the tournament will be rewarded with a Bajaj motorcycle sponsored by Golchha Organisation, while the best coach, blocker, lifter, spiker and defender will get Rs 15,000 each. “We will also provide the participating teams with accommodation and transportation fares, while the spectators who want to see the matches of their teams will be admitted for free at the venue,” said Rana Magar.

Meanwhile, Rana Magar said more than 3,000 athletes are expected to participate in the second CoAS Open marathon Race which will be held on February 11. The event is divided into five categories —marathon (men), half marathon (men and women), 10km race for foreigners, army officers, military attaches and UN officials, 5km race for school children, and 5km walkathon for high-ranking government officials, bankers and reputed personalities of the society. “Last year, a total of 3,350 athletes took part in the event and we are expecting more than that this time around,” Rana Magar said.

All the events will start from Sainik Manch Tundikhel and end at the same place. The men’s marathon will go through Ratnapark, Bhadrakali, Tripureshwor, Maitighar, Tinkune, Koteshwor, Jagate, Kamal Binayak, Pepsicola, Jadibuti, Tinkune, Sinamangal, Chabahil, Maharajgunj, Ranipokhari, Bhadrakali and Sahidgate, while the half marathon will be held along the Ratnapark, Bhadrakali, Tripureshwor, Maitighar, Tinkune, Sinamangal, Chabahil, Maharajgunj, Ranipokhari, Bhadrakali and Sahidgate.

The marathon winner will receive Rs 100,000 along with a motorbike sponsored by Morang Auto Works, while the runner-up will get Rs 50,000 and third-placed athlete will earn Rs 25,000. Likewise, athletes finishing from fifth to seventh will get Rs 15,000, Rs 7,000 and Rs 5,000 respectively. Also, the top three athletes in half marathon will receive Rs 25,000, Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 with the women’s winner also getting Yamaha scooty. The top three student athletes in 5km race will get Rs 7,000, Rs 5,000 and Rs 3,000 respectively. “We have joined hands with ‘A’ category banks and Morang Auto Works for the marathon, which is being held with the slogan of Run for Fun,” said Rana Magar. The estimated budget for the event is Rs 2.8 million.

NA spokesperson Brig Gen Tara Bahadur Karki said the events were organised with the objective of contributing in development of sports and urged concerned bodies to help in the cause. Nepal Volleyball Association General Secretary Jitendra Chand and TAC coach Jagdish Bhatta were also present on the occasion.