Tamang, Katuwal in last eight

Kathmandu, June 18

Ratnajit Tamang of Tribhuvan Army Club and Bishnu Katuwal of Nepal Police Club advanced to the men’s singles quarter-finals of the fifth Pushpalal Memorial Ranking National Badminton Tournament here at the National Sports Council covered hall today.

They were joined by Nabin Shrestha and Dipesh Dhami of TAC, Bikash Shrestha of Bhojpur Nepal APF Club trio Joseph Adhikari, Bijit Thapa Magar and Sudip Sedhai in last eight.

In women’s singles first round matches, TAC’s Nangsal Devi Tamang defeated Durga Bhandari of Kailali 21-7, 21-10, while Anu Maya Rai beat fellow TAC shuttler Megha Chand 21-17, 21-14.

Jessica Gurung came from a set down to edge past Amita Giri 19-21, 21-18, 21-17 and Sunaina Mukhiya beat Shova Gauchan 21-14, 23-21.

In girls’ section, Megha Chand, Jessica Gurung, Rashila Maharjan, Nita Lamsal, Sima Rajbansi, Safi Khatri, Ranjana Bhatt and Samikchya Neupane registered victories to advance to the quarter-finals.

Earlier, President of Nepal Olympic Committee  Jeevan Ram Shrestha inaugurated the tournament, organised by National Badminton Association formed under Nepal Sports Federation, sister wing of CPN-UML.