Kathmandu, January 30

New Diamond Club signed the sponsorship deal with Hongwanji Buddhist Society Nepal for the women’s volleyball tournament here at a programme today.

Club President Sunkeshari Mali and Country Director of Hongwanji Buddhist Society Nepal Sonam Wangdi Bhutia signed the Memorandum of Understanding. As per the one-year agreement, Hongwanji will provide the NDA with a total of Rs 1.5 million.

In return, Hongwanji will be the title sponsor of the third New Diamond Cup Open Women’s Volleyball Tournament and it will also be the sponsor of the team, which will be named as Hongwanji New Diamond. Hongwanji will provide the New Diamond Club with the cash purse of Rs 702,000 for the tournament apart from Rs 300,000 for sports kits and Rs 500,000 for team preparation and other expenses.

Hongwanji Budhhist Society Nepal’s Country Director Bhutia said he was impressed with the game of New Diamond. “I had gone to watch a match as a volleyball fan and I was impressed with their game,” said Bhutia. “We are happy to be associated with the team like New Diamond and we hope to continue with the sponsorship in the years to come.”

New Diamond President Mali thanked Hongwanji for the support. “We are really privileged to get the opportunity and we are grateful to Hongwanji for the support,” she said.

The third edition of the tournament will be held in December. New Diamond had organised the first edition under the sponsorship of Shivam Cement and second edition was held a month ago with the support of Hongwanji. And both the parties agreed to organise the third edition in a grand manner.

With the arrival of the main sponsors, the organisers have increased the purse making it the biggest tournament in terms of prize money. The winners will receive Rs 401,000, while the runners-up will get Rs 301,000, informed tournament coordinator Kumar Rai. Likewise, the third and fourth placed teams will be awarded with Rs 201,000 and Rs 101,000 respectively. Also, the player of the tournament will get Rs 25,000, while the best spiker, blocker, quicker, seter, server, defender and coach will earn Rs 7,000 each.