Jhapa enter quarters

LALITPUR:

Bhuvan Gurung scored twice as Jhapa beat Panchthar 3-1 and entered the quarter-finals of the Tribhuvan Memorial Inter-DDC Chairman Cup Under-14 Football Tournament, which has been organised by All Nepal Football Association, here today. In the other match at ANFA complex, Kailali beat Rupandehi 3-1. At Buddhi Bikash Mandal, Sumit Oli scored a hat-trick as Sunsari blanked Kanchanpur 5-0; and Ilam beat Makwanpur 2-1. The winners advanced to the last eight. — HNS

Weeka Talentia 2005

KATHMANDU:

Kathmandu Don Bosco HS School is the organising the basketball tournament under the Weeka Talentia 2005, a week-long Inter-college Competition from January 20-25. In all, eight college teams will take part in the basketball tournament. Other events include Poetry Competition (January 20), Art Exhibition (January 20-25), Elocution (January 22), Debate (January 24) and Science Exhibition (January 20-25), said the organisers at a press meet today. — HNS

Players awarded

KATHMANDU:

Sangam Adhikari was declared the Man of the Sports Meet at the sports day, organised by National Integrated College (NIC) to mark its third anniversary. While Bandhu Raj Regmi got the best goalkeeper award, Dipendra Ghimire was named the best striker and Sandip Malla was adjudged the best player in football tournament. Sibarb Subba was declared man of the match in cricket as well as the Most Valuable Player in basketball; and Saroj Maharjan was named the best volleyball player. — HNS

Real to sign Robinho

MADRID:

Real Madrid is close to signing young Brazilian forward Robinho from Santos. Negotiations are taking place for Robinho to join Madrid on June 30, just after the Spanish league season ends, agent Juan Figger said. He said it was impossible for Robinho to move earlier because Madrid already holds its maximum quota of three non-European Union players — Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Walter Samuel. Madrid has first option on Robinho even though other clubs, including Chelsea, are also interested in signing him, he said. — AP

Reading down Swansea

LONDON:

Nicky Forster fired the only goal in extra time and American goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann made four standout saves as Reading edged Swansea 1-0 to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup. The two teams had tied 1-1 at Reading on January 8 and failed to score in the first 90 minutes at the Vetch Field. Exeter City managed a 0-0 tie at defending champion powerhouse Manchester United on Jannuary 8 and now hosts the Reds at its St James’ Park ground. — AP

Figo faces punishment

MADRID:

Real Madrid’s Luis Figo could be suspended for a fierce challenge which severely injured an opponent’s knee. National daily El Pais said that the Spanish soccer federation’s competition committee may punish Figo for his sliding tackle on Zaragoza’s Cesar Jimenez, even though referee Jose Losantos Omar didn’t issue the Portuguese international with a card at the time. However, Figo’s chances of avoiding punishment received a boost when Zaragoza said it wouldn’t make an official complaint. — AP