Int’l players depart

KATHMANDU: Bishwa Sagar Shrestha, founder and president of International Budokai-do Full Contact Federation bade farewell to various international players here today. Players from India, Pakistan, France and Morocco who had been in Nepal for a month-long seminar, also passed the black belt test after fighting with 20 athletes for two minutes each. Founder Shrestha recieved letter of appreciation from the players. Jalil Mohammed of Pakistan, Lambrapti Brahim of Morocco and Raju Mallik of India were nominated as representatives of their respective counties. — HNS

Tuladhar to run 61-km

KAVRE: Kalika Youth Club is organising a marathon race on July 9, to mark the 58th birthday of King Gyanendra, where national athlete and event coordinator Ratna Tuladhar is running a 61-km race that starts from Kavrepalanchowk Kalika Bhagwati Temple to the Narayanhiti Royal Palace. — HNS

TT tourney from Firday

KATHMANDU: All Nepal Table Tennis Association is organising the third Birthday Cup Table Tennis Tournament from July 2-6, to mark the 58th birthday of King Gyanendra. In all, eight events — open, U-12, U-16 and inter-school competition — in both men’s and women’s section will be held. The event will be played at National Table Tennis Training Centre, Lainchaur. — HNS

Man United pick Pique

MANCHESTER: Manchester United signed Spanish under-17 international defender Gerard Pique from Barcelona. “There have been seven years of my life where I have learned and enjoyed my football with Barca, and I would not change that for anything in the world,” the 17-year-old was quoted as saying on United’s Web site. “But after looking at the options, speaking with my parents and my grandfather, who have also helped me a lot, it was suitable for me.” — AP