KATHMANDU: Sabita Chaudhary began the 20th Inter-school National Special Games with gold medal in 50-metre race for partial blind here at the Dasharath Stadium on Wednesday. Manisha Rai and Sita Ghimire finished second and third respectively. In boys’ section of the same category, Man Singh Bista from Kailali won gold, while Sunil Lama and Sovaram Dangi won silver and bronze medals respectively. In 100m race for deaf, Devendra Saru from Bhairahawa won gold, while Arjun Nepal and Suman Shrestha came second and third respectively. In girls’ section, Til Devi Garbuja finished first, while Sanju Rana and Pushpa Khatri came second and third respectively. A total of 282 players are competing in the tournament.

Judokas off to HK

KATHMANDU: A two-member judo team on Wednesday left for Hong Kong to participate in the Asian Cadet and Junior Judo Championship and World Ranking tournament slated for July 17-20. Phupu Lamu Khatri will represent Nepal in the Championship, while Debu Thapa accompanied Khatri to Hong Kong as coach. They will also travel to Macau for world ranking tournament. NOC President Dhurba Bahadur Pradhan and General Secretary Jeevan Ram Shrestha bade farewell to the judokas.

Kasperczak appointed

TUNIS: Tunisia have appointed Henry Kasperczak as new coach, bringing the Pole back for a second spell in charge. The 68-year-old Kasperczak replaces Georges Leekens, the Belgian who coached Tunisia when they were eliminated in the quarter-finals at this year’s African Cup of Nations. Tunisian Football Federation spokesman Kais Reguez says Kasperczak has a three-year contract and is expected to take the team to at least the semi-finals of the African Cup in 2017, and also qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Kasperczak coached Tunisia from 1994-98, leading it to the African Cup final in 1996, when they lost to South Africa. He was Mali coach at this year’s African tournament.

Oliseh named coach

ABUJA: Former midfielder and captain Sunday Oliseh was confirmed as the new coach of Nigeria on Wednesday. Oliseh took over from another former captain, Stephen Keshi, who was fired this month for breaching his contract by applying to be Ivory Coast coach. Oliseh flew into Nigeria on Tuesday and met with Nigerian Football Federation officials. The executive committee then approved his appointment. Oliseh played for Nigeria from 1993-2002, winning the African Cup of Nations in 1994, and Olympic gold at the Atlanta Games in 1996. He appeared at two World Cups. He also played club football in Italy, Germany, Netherlands, and Belgium, and recently served on FIFA’s technical study group, a group of former players and coaches who analyze international games.