Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, September 16

The Nepal Police Club (NPC) clinched the first National Men’s Volleyball League Championship defeating Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club 25-19, 25-20, 22-25, 25-20 here today.

NPC won the first two sets 25-19 and 25-20 but APF fought back

to win the third set 25-22 to keep their hopes alive. However, NPC, who looked the strongest side in the league after Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC)’s withdrawal, won the fourth set 25-20 to secure the championship.

TAC withdrew from the championship after People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Club qualified for the super league. Along with the championship NPC also bagged a purse of Rs 80,000 while APF took home Rs 50,000. NPC had already won the Women’s League Championship winning all six matches on September 10.

Both the departmental teams had an equal eight points going into Wednesday’s final league match, meaning the winners were assured of the championship. NPC finished with 10 points while APF ended on nine. Employment Creation Services (ECS) collected eight points to finish third and earned Rs 20,000.

In the tournament which also served as the selection for the 11th South Asian Games to be held in Dhaka from January 29 to February 9 next year, PLA finished fourth with seven points and received Rs 10,000.

NPC’s Im Bahadur Rana was adjudged the man-of-the-series while Swadesh Rimal was declared the best coach. NPC also dominated the post match presentation when Rama Shankar Chaudhary and Sanjay Aryal were named the best lifter and best blocker respectively. Kailash Datta Bhatta of APF and Bibek Rai of ECS were named the best spiker and best defender respectively.