NEPALGUNJ, MARCH 24

Nepal Police Club and Tribhuvan Army Club made winning starts in the eighth Sagarmatha Cement Prime Minister Cup International Women's Volleyball Tournament here at the Nepalgunj Stadium covered hall today.

NPC beat Lumbini United in straight sets in the opening match of the tournament organised by Banke District Volleyball Association. NPC dominated the match and took the first set 25-14. The departmental side then conceded 13 and nine points in the second and third sets respectively. Manisha Chaudhary of NPC was declared the player of the match. Lt Col Janmat Karki and former international volleyball referee Ajit Kumar Sharma among others handed over the award to Chaudhary.

NPC assistant coach Kopila Upreti was happy with her girls' performance in the first match. 'We are here with a target of lifting the trophy and the team made a perfect start,' said Upreti, former national team skipper and member of the NPC team that won the first edition of the tournament.

Lumbini coach Arjun Ghimire was also satisfied with his team's overall show.

'The girls' put up a brave performance against NPC, who were equipped with national team members,' said Ghimire.

In another match, TAC beat New Diamond Academy 3-1.

TAC won the first set 25-15 before New Diamond levelled the scores with a 29-27 victory in the second set. TAC then took the next two sets 25-17, 25-22 to complete the victory.

Safia Pun of TAC was named the player of the match and she received the award from former sports administrator Ashok Jung Shah and 13th South Asian Games gold medal winning weightlifter Sanju Chaudhary.

TAC coach Lokesh Budha was happy with the victory.

'The match was competitive like the final and I am satisfied with the performance of the players,' Budha said. New Diamond coach Kumar Rai rued the missed opportunities.

'The girls could not record a victory despite putting up hard efforts,' Rai said.

On Friday, NPC will play against Haryana Sports Club, while New Diamond will face Eklavya Sports Complex of Chhattisgarh. Earlier, Minister for Youth and Sports Maheshwor Jung Gahatraj inaugurated the event by handing over the match ball to international referee Gautam Prasad Lasiba.

A total of six teams, including two from India, are taking part in the biggest tournament of the country in terms of cash prizes. Top four teams will receive Rs 500,000, Rs 250,000, Rs 100,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively.

Hotel Central Plaza is the hospitality partner, while UCAN is the kits sponsor.

UNDP has joined hands as theme partner, while Nepali Army's Bhairav Prasad Battalion has supported the organisers in management.

Chief Minister Cup

Nepal APF Club and Gandaki Province advanced to the semi-finals of the Chief Minister Cup National Volleyball Tournament here on Thursday.

APF defeated Sudurpashchim Province 25-13, 25-20. 25-12, while Gandaki outplayed Bagmati 25-15, 25-14, 25-18 in the quarter-finals. Tek Raj Awasthi of APF and Hari Pandeya of Gandaki won the player of the match awards. APF will face fellow departmental side Tribhuvan Army Club, while Gandaki will take on Nepal Police Club in semi-finals. Top four teams will receive Rs 400,000, Rs 200,000, Rs 100,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively.

A version of this article appears in the print on March 25, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.