National Chess

LALITPUR: Balram Napit took the sole lead at the 15th National Rating Chess Tournament here on Friday. After the completion of the nine rounds, Napit accumulated 7.5 points. He defeated Ram Shrestha in the eighth round, while he was held to a draw by Janardan Shrestha in the ninth round. Rajendra Bajracharya and Surbir Lama are joint second with seven points each. With 6.5 points, Sujendra Prasad Shrestha, Bhagawati Sharma, Badri Lal Nepali, Keshav Shrestha, Binod Gyawali, Manish Hamal and Janardan Shrestha are at the third position. The final round is slated for Saturday. — HNS

Women’s basketball

KATHMANDU: Godavari Alumni Association (GAA) is organising the FedEx fourth Father Watrin Women’s Basketball Tournament from Sunday. In all, nine teams are taking part in the league-cum-knock out tournament. The two-time winners Rato Bangala, Orient College, Golden Gate Club, Snow Leopard and Valley Public are in Group A. Hosts GAA, Niten Memorial, Malpi and S Flyers are in Group B. Defending champions RIBS did not participate in the tournament. The top two teams from both the groups will advance to the semi-finals. —HNS

‘C’ Division football

LALITPUR: All Nepal Football Association is organising the Martyrs Memorial ‘C’ Division League from Saturday. In all, 14 teams - including the four teams that qualified this year - are taking part in the tournament. The top three teams will get promotion to the ‘B’ Division league, while the bottom two will be relegated, said the organisers at a press meet. The winner will get Rs 100,000, while the runners up will receive Rs 50,000. The best four individuals - goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forward - and coach will be awarded with Rs 5,000. All the four teams that qualified for the league - Varsity, Charumati, Bhagawati and Madhyapur - along with Sachhyam Nagar, Garuda and Sanepa are in Group A. Satdobato, Samajik, Sri Kumari, Chyasal, Cannon, Naxal and Nava Jyoti are in Group B. Convenor of the league, Karma Tsering Sherpa said the ‘B’ Division league - which has not taken place for the last two years - would be held from September 9. — HNS