Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, July 8:

Birgunj Youth Academy blanked Naxal Youth Mandal 4-0 and Bansbari Club played a 1-1 draw with Gyan Bhairav Club in the Super League matches of the Maryrs’ Memorial ‘C’ Division Football Tournament, here at Sano Gaucharan ground, today. The Naxal club was reduced to nine men after ANFA referee Bal Gopal Maharjan expelled Deepu Shahi and Sakil Gauchan for involving in an on-field scuffle. The fight started just before the half time when Naxal players attacked Birgunj players without any reason soon after referee Maharjan cautioned their skipper Rakesh Lama for a foul. The organisers handed a two-match ban each to the players, which means they will not be eligible for the rest of the tournament. Birgunj took lead through Ritu Shakya’s header in the 20th minute following Subhash Rana’s corner kick. Nirajan Patel doubled the tally firing the ball from a close range in the 40th minute. Taking advantage of Naxal’s Hari Om Khadka’s mispass, Krishna Mani Chaudhari made it 3-0 five minutes later and Krishna Shakya completed the rout in the 75th minute. In the other match, Narayan Khadka put Bansbari ahead in the 60th minute while Amit KC netted an equaliser for Gyan Bhairav in the 77th minute. On Saturday, it’s: Naxal vs Gyan Bhairav; and Birgunj vs Bansbari at the same venue.

Cross Country

KATHMANDU: Everest Athletics Club is organising the seventh Thankot Cross Country Championship on July 16. The one-day event will feature men’s 12-km and women’s 8-km races, said event convenor Baburaja Shrestha at a press meet today. In all, 120 athletes from Armed Police Force, Nepal Police, Tribhuvan Army Club and other associations are taking part in the event. The organisers have expected 25 women athletes from Nepal and some 10 participants from France, Germany, and England. The top three finishers will recieve Rs 5,000 3,000 and Rs 2,000 in men’s section; whereas it’s Rs 3,000, Rs 2,000 and Rs 1,000 in women’s section. “The race is one of the warm-up events ahead of Frankfurt Marathon slated for October 30,” said Nepal Amateur Athletics Association general secretary Sushil Narsingh Rana. President of the club Anil Shrestha, secretary Rajendra Shrestha, and other officials were present on the occasion.

Rai finishes first

LALITPUR: Asmita Rai of Nepal Police accumulated 374 points out of the total 400 to finish first in Women’s Air Rifle section of the Birthday Cup Open Shooting Competition, which has been organised by Nepal Shooting Association to mark the 59th birthday of King Gyanendra. Fulmaya Kapchhyaki and Durga Sinjali, both from Nepal Police, earned 373 and 360 points to come second and third respectively. In Women’s Air Pistol section, Saraswati Baniya (362), Sangita Karki (356) and Sabita Basnet (356) grabbed the top three spots. Earlier, member secretary of National Sports Council Kishor Bahadur Singh inaugurated the four-day event.

Birthday Cup Judo

KATHMANDU: Ravi Chaudhari and Trishna Gurung entered the men’s 55kg final of the

National Open Judo Competition, which has been organised by Nepal Judo Association to mark the 59th birthday of King Gyanendra. Others who made it to men’s finals were: Surendra Tamang and Devendra Karmacharya (60kg); Arjun Warnawal and Deepak Shrestha (73kg); and Karan Bahadur Bom and Pravin Kanaudia (81kg). In women’s semi-final bouts, Anita Maharjan and Navita Lama (40kg); Kaushila Rai and Sunita Magar (44kg); and Devu Thapa and Indira Rai (56kg) won. In all, 185 athletes including 66 women are taking part in 15 events of the two-day competition.