Local briefs

Deepak gets sponsor

Kathmandu: Laxmi Bank is sponsoring this year’s Surya Nepal Open winner Deepak Thapa Magar, who is taking part in the 2007/08 Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI). Thapa Magar, the first Nepali to win the only international pro golf event held in Nepal, will get qualifying school fees, tour fees, apparel, and travel, living and accommodation charges from the bank, said Stuti Basnyat, Manager, Corporate Communications of the bank. “As part of promoting sports and athletes under our broader Corporate Social Responsibility, Laxmi Bank has decided to extend financial support to Thapa Magar in his campaign,” Basnyat added. “I played in a few tournaments of the PGTI back in the 90s but I was not able to make a mark, said Thapa Magar. “This year, I feel confident having beaten the international pros in the Surya Nepal Open,” he added. — HNS

Three Star enter semis

HETAUDA: Vijay Gurung scored twice as Nabil Three Star Club defeated Samsung Jawalakhel Youth Club (JYC) 2-1 in the quarter-finals of the Martyrs Memorial National Football Tournament. Gurung gave Three Star the lead in the 16th minute. Dipendra Shrestha levelled the scores in the 68th and with four minutes from time, Gurung found the winner. — HNS

Classic basketball

KATHMANDU: Unique Academy, Venus Academy, Teresa Academy, VS Niketan and New Shrine advanced to the boys’ section quarters at the Classic Invitational Basketball Tournament. Unique beat Santauna 23-11 and Teresa outscored Venus 34-27. In other boys’ matches, VS Niketan beat Milan Vidhya Mandir (MVM) 42-16 and Don Bosco beat New Shrine 47-29. Teresa beat Gyan Niketan 29-12 and MVM beat Gillette 16-10 in girls’ section. — HNS

Girls’ basketball

KATHMANDU: Valley Public humiliated New Summit 47-4 in the first Mahendra Bhawan Inter-school Girls’ Basketball Tournament. In other matches, Rato Bangala beat Shuvatara 34-14, Mahendra Bhawan beat Young Hearts 31-24, Gyan Niketan beat Xavier International 17-12, Suryodaya beat Bhanubhakta 12-7, Little Angel’s overcame Gillette 27-9, TIA beat Fluorescent 34-4 and Elites Co-Ed earned a walk over. — HNS