Arniko, LRI win

LALITPUR: Arniko Secondary Boarding School of Talchhikhel and Learning Realm International (LRI) School advanced to the senior boys’ section final at the first LA Inter-school Basketball Tournament on Thursday. In the first semi-final, Arniko defeated Puspa Sadan 70-61 riding on Himal Tamang’s 23 points, while Prakash Tiwari netted 11 points as LRI beat Ideal Model School 44-34. In girls’ section, Gyanodaya and Rara Hill entered the final. Anita Rai scored 15 in Gyanodaya’s 30-15 victory over Arniko, while Rara Hill thrashed GEMS 28-2, in which Bhumika Maharjan netted 12 points. — HNS

SAFF C’ship

KATHMANDU: All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) began process of cutting down the number of footballers for the SAFF Championships slated for December 4-14 in Bangladesh. Of the 50 players called for only 40 showed up in a selection match held here at the Dasharath Stadium on Thursday. Two more matches will be played on Friday and Sunday before trimming the squad to 28. Coaches Krishna Thapa, Maheshwor Mulmi and Upendra Man Singh are looking after the selection. — HNS

Officials’ oath

KATHMANDU: Minister for Youth and Sports Ganesh Nepali on Thursday administered the oath and secrecy of office to the newly appointed National Sports Council members Deepak Koirala and Lal Kumar Lama. Koirala (Nepal Paralympic Committee) and Lama (Nepal Shotokan Karate Association) were nominated from the national association quotas. Acting Member Secretary of NSC Min Krishna Maharjan was also present on the occasion. — HNS

Cyclists off to KL

KATHMANDU: Cyclists Padam Sabenhang and Nirjala Tamrakar along with coach Ajay Narsingh Rana left for Malaysia to participate in the 15th Asian Mountain Bike Championship and first Junior Asian Mountain Bike Championship that began on Thursday. The duo had also participated in the 14th edition of the event held in Kathmandu last year. — HNS

Basketball

KATHMANDU: Odyssey International Academy is organising the second Odyssey Inter-school Basketball Tournament from Saturday. In all, 27 teams —20 in boys and seven in girls’ sections — are taking part in the tournament. — HNS

Coaches depart

LALITPUR: Bal Gopal Maharjan and Chet Narayan Shrestha left for Kuala Lumpur to undertake the Level ‘B’ AFC Coaching Certificate Course. Maharjan and Shrestha were nominated by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) under the AFC Project Future Coaches for 2007 Group. Meanwhile, AFC has penalised Lebanon for fielding over-aged players during the recently concluded AFC U-16 Championship here. “MRI report suggested Mohammed Mirahi as an overaged player and the AFC had awarded their match in favour of Nepal,” said ANFA citing AFC’s verdict. Lebanon had won the match 1-0 on October 5 but the result will be recorded as 3-0 in favour of Nepal in accordance with the AFC rules, said ANFA on Thursday. Lebanon also played against Iran on October 11 but the result stands as Iran had won the match 4-0. — HNS

Basketball

KATHMANDU: Valley Public HS School is organising the fourth Valley Public Inter-school Basketball Tournament from November 6-14. In all, 25 teams in boys and 12 teams in girls’ section are vying for the championship, said the organisers here at a press meet on Thursday. Bhanubhakta Memorial, Nightingale, Innovative, Baylor International, Himalayan, AIA (Baneswor), Teresa, Gauri Shanker, Daffodil Public, Om Gyan Mandir, Newton Children Academy, Golden Peak, Greenland (Dhapashi), Elim Co-Ed, Deep Jyoti (Gongabu), Kathmandu Xavier, Gyan Niketan, Babylon and two teams of the organising school are competing in the boys’ section. Two teams of the hosts’, Neric, Om Gyan, Deep Jyoti, Babylon, Bishnumati, Clinton Public (Basundhara), Bhanubhakta Memorial, Ganesh School, Prithvi Boarding School, and Daffodils are on fray for the girls’ title. — HNS