Sunsari, December 25 Sukra Bahadur Rai of Eastern Region maintained his lead on the second day of the National Golf Tournament here at the Nirvana Country Club on Sunday. Rai, who had carded one-under 69 in the opening round, played five-over 75 on the second day for the 36-hole total of four-over 144. Rai is seven strokes ahead of fellow Eastern Region golfer Yubraj Bhujel, who shot two-over 72 to add to his overnight score of 75. Another Eastern Region player Sundar Rai was further one shot behind at 148 after he played a round of 73. In team event, Eastern Region opened up a massive 34-stroke lead over Western Region. The Eastern Region team of Sukra, Shiva Kumar Majhi and Raju Rai posted a total scored of 292, while Western Region’s Dal Bahadur Lama, Kamal Tamang and Prajwal Gurung accumulated 326 over the two days. Tribhuvan Army Club’s Lt Col Basanta Gurung, Maj Nischaya Jung Rayamajhi and Prithivi Malla scored 327. A total of 34 players and four teams are taking part in the competition. Golf and snooker were among the sports included as an exhibition event in the beginning but the National Sports Council omitted the two disciplines in the last hour. Nepal Golf Association General Secretary Tashi Ghale said the NSC removed golf for no reason. “We have got four teams which is the minimum criteria of the NSC,” said Ghale. “I talked with Minister Daljit Sripaili and Secretary Mahesh Dahal and they are ready to include the sport in the seventh National Games. But NSC Member Secretary Keshab Kumar Bista is against the inclusion of the sport,” said Ghale. “Golf was included in the previous two editions held in Kathmandu and Dhangadhi and I don’t see any reason of excluding the sport this time around,” he added. According to Ghale, the NSC has allocated Rs 500,000 for the tournament and sent the medals and certificates for the winners. “We had asked for at least one million rupees but the NSC gave us only the half. And the budget for district and regional selections as well as the main event,” he added. Because of the inadequate budget, the NGA is not providing the individual section participants with the daily allowances. “We are giving Rs 1,400 each to the players who have selected in the teams,” said Ghale.