Kathmandu, March 31

Golden Gate International College defeated Tribhuvan Army Club 97-96 in controversial final match of the Kwik’s Basketball League here at the NSC covered hall today.

The controversy actually began after the final whistle and it took the organizers more than an hour to declare the winners of the tournament. The match was heading towards overtime as both the teams were tied at 95-all before TAC skipper Rabin Khatri was fouled and he earned two free shots.

TAC took lead after Khatri converted the first shot and he crossed the line in the second attempt which allowed Golden Gate resume the play from TAC half. To everyone’s surprise, Manish Raj Rajopadhyaya managed to take a turn and put the ball into the basket after receiving a pass from Sushil Gurung.

TAC players protested saying that Rajopadhyaya shot the ball after the buzzer went on, while Golden Gate claimed that the shot was legal. “The last 0.01 second ruined the beauty of the whole match as Rajopadhyaya’s basket should not have been allowed. However, we accepted the result as per the direction of our seniors,” said TAC skipper Khatri.

Golden Gate skipper Bipendra Maharjan said there was no controversy and his side was the clear winner of the match.

“Referees should have given their decision then and there, but they created the ugly scene by taking such a long time,” said Maharjan.

Earlier, both teams scored 21 points in the first quarter before Golden Gate opened up a 10-point lead taking the second period 33-23. Golden Gate maintained the lead in the third quarter after both the sides netted 20 points.

However, TAC made a strong comeback in the last quarter and took a 84-82 lead before Golden Gate went 95-92 ahead. TAC’s Nischal Maharjan scored a three-pointer to tie the game at 95-all before the final match ended in a dramatic and controversial manner.

Earlier, Bishal Milan Kendra defeated Himalayan Hounds 80-70 to claim the third position. Top three teams earned Rs 200,000, Rs 100,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively.

TAC’s Sudish Pradhan was named the most valuable player of the tournament, while his teammate Binod Maharjan won the best defender’s award. Bishal Milan Kendra’s Bibek Shrestha was declared the emerging player and his teammate Bikash Gurung was the highest scorer. Likewise, Kirtipur Basketball Team’s Rabindra Maharjan was named the best coach. The individual award winners got gift vouchers worth Rs 10,000 each.

A total of eight teams competed in the tournament organised by Play for Deprived Children Nepal under the sponsorship of Chaudhary Group. General Manager of Chaudhary Group Lal  Babu Prasad among others handed over the prizes to the winners.