Western win

Kathmandu: Nirajan Malla scored the solitary goal in the 75th minute as Western Development Region defeated PLA Sports Club (red) 1-0 in the inaugural football match of the first National Sports Tournament here on Saturday.

Earlier, Central Region beat PLA (blue) 2-0 on goals from Makkar Dhoj Gurung and Dipesh Khadgi, while Eastern Region and Mid-western Region played a goalless draw.

In the men's volleyball, Central Region defeated PLA (red) 25-15, 25-20, 25-15 while Western Region overcame Mid Western Region 25-23, 25-15, 25-16.

UCPN-Maoists Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal inaugurated the tournament organised by the PLA Sports Club to mark the 15th anniversary of the People's War and ninth PLA anniversary at the Dasharath Stadium. The opening ceremony was marked by the marchpast of the participating teams — five development regions, PLA Sports Club (blue and red), ANFA U-16 Football Team and Majdur Sahid Smriti Club — and various cultural groups.

Out of the total budget of Rs 150 million, the top four teams in football will receive Rs 300,000, Rs 200,000, Rs 150,000 and Rs 50,000, while the volleyball teams get Rs 200,000, Rs 150,000, Rs 100,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively.

Daffodil Cup

Kathmandu: Hosts Daffodil and Nepal APF School recorded wins at the Daffodil Cup Inter-school Junior Football Tournament. Minraj Tamang and Abhsihek Malla scored a goal each as Daffodil saw off TIA 2-0 while APF overpowered Niten Memorial School (NIMS) 8-7 with hat-tricks from Abhaya Khadka and Rabin Karki. Roman Mahat also scored a brace for APF. In another match, Deep Jyoti hammered Reliance International Academy 6-1 following a hat-trick from Bikash Pun Magar. In senior boys basketball, Gyan Niketan eased past Bagmati School 43-18 while Pennwood beat Valley Public 53-33 and NIMS laboured to a 24-21 win over Young Hearts. In the girls' basketball, TIA beat Martyrs Memorial School 43-30 while NIMS defeated Daffodil 29-15. Mahendra Bhawan inflicted a 38-2 defeat to Pathsala Nepal riding on 22 points from Rukshika Basnet. Pennwood defeated Shridiwa 14-11 in the other match.