KATHMANDU: Bhupendra Niraula and Dharam Bahadur Lama started the Asian Amateur Championship with victories in Brunei on Monday. Niraula defeated a player from Malaysia, while Lama beat his Brunei opponent in their first-round matches.

Niraula will face Sri Lankan player in the second round, whereas Lama will play against Singaporean player. Players from 17 nations are taking part in the tournament.