LALITPUR: GEMS Institute of Higher Education 'Blue' defeated Malpi Institute 2-0 in the opening match of the third GIHE Football Championship here on Friday.

Nishan Thapa Magar opened the scoring in the ninth minute and Prashaya Shrestha added another two minutes later as the hosts got off to the winning start.

Earlier, Dipendra Nath Sharma, Secretary of Youth and Sports Ministry, inaugurated the tournament organised by GIHE Sports Club in association with Eicher. Simrik Airlines, Time Pharmaceuticals, Hosanna Brick Factory, Nepal Insurance Company and Om Shree Ganesh Saving and Credit Cooperative are the other partners of the tournament.