Kathmandu, March 15:

Nepal Police felicitated the national league champions Mahendra Police Club (MPC) players, with six of them getting promotion here today.

Nepal Police promoted the players in recognition to their contribution in helping the departmental team win their maiden Martyrs Memorial San Miguel ‘A’ Division League Football Championship.

MPC won the title with a 2-0 win over Tribhuvan Army Club in the last match on March 8. Ananta Thapa was promoted to Sub-Inspector while Rakesh Shrestha and Ganesh Budhathoki got promotions to Assistant Sub-Inspector posts. Likewise, Bhola Silwal, Dipendra Poudel and Kundan Nagarkoti Shrestha were promoted to Head Constables. Om Bikram Rana, IGP of Nepal Police, presented the insignia.

Nepal Police also presented cash prizes to other players of the team during the programme. MPC had won the Rs 2 million cash prize along with the championship while skipper Hari Khadka was declared the player of the league for which he got Rs 2.5 million worth Toyota Yaris car. Birat Krishna Shrestha was adjudged best coach of the league and received a Yamaha G-5 motorcycle.

Speaking on the occasion, IGP Rana said that his department would do everything in its authority to help develop the Nepali sports. “The evolution of football team in our department took place in 2008 BS,” said Rana.

MPC, which was formed in 2023 BS, reappeared in the national league three seasons ago finishing twice as the runners up and fourth last year.

AIG Amar Singh Shah, who is also the member secretary of the Sports Department at the Nepal Police, presented the MPC’s sports report.

National Sports Council member secretary Jeevan Ram Shrestha and All Nepal Football Association president Ganesh Thapa were also expressed their views on the occasion.