Singh, Pandey awarded

KATHMANDU: South Asian Sports Journalists’ Association of Nepal (SASJAN) awarded NTV newsreader and chief news editor Rama Singh and Channel Nepal reporter Chetan Pandey for their contribution in the field of sports for more than a decade. The programme was organised to mark the World Sports Journalists Day. Bimalendra Nidhi, minister for Education and Sports, handed over with Rs 8,000 and felicitation letter each, while NSC member secretary Kishor Bahadur Singh gave away medals. — HNS

TT tourney ends

KATHMANDU: The third Birthday Cup Table Tennis Tournament concluded here today. The one-day event organised by All Nepal Table Tennis Association had 265 participants from 80 schools. Holyland International School defeated Little Angles’ School 3-1 in the men’s section final, and Aims Academy beat Kanya Secondary School 3-2 in women’s section final. Earlier, member secretary of National Sports Council Kishor Bahadur Singh inaugurated the event. — HNS

Scorers’ training begins

KATHMANDU: A three-day Cricket Scorer Training under the auspices of Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) began here today on the occasion of the 58th birthday of King Gyanendra. In all, there are 10 participants — two each from all the five Regional Cricket Development Committees. Senior scorers Binaya Kumar Jha and senior scorer Riddhi Bhakta Panta and chief coach Arun Kumar Aryal are conducting the training. Acting president of the association Shree Harsha Koirala inaugurated the training. Coordinator Ashok Nath Pyakurel was also present on the occasion. — HNS

SKIF Shoto Cup

KATHMANDU: Nepal Shotokan Karate Association (SKIF) is organising the National SKIF Shoto Cup, to mark the 58th birthday of King Gyanendra on July 10 at Multipurpose Marital Arts Centre. About 150 athletes from all over the country will take part in in 13 weight categories — nine in men‘s section and four in women‘s section. — HNS

Blood donation held

KATHMANDU: Federation of Nepalese Sports Journalists (FNSJ) organised a blood donation camp, to mark the World Sports Journalists Day at the Dasharath Stadium premises today. Member secretary of National Sports Council Kishor Bahadur Singh inaugurated the ceremony. According to FNSJ, the blood will be used for the sportsmen and sports-related persons. The organisers informed that 51 people donated blood but on query, the blood bank said it recieved only 21 pints of blood from the camp. — HNS

Samuel joins Real Madrid

MADRID: Argentine defender Walter Samuel said he hopes his arrival at Real Madrid will end years of frustration at trying to win a title. Samuel completed his reported $30 million transfer from Italy’s AS Roma after undergoing a three-hour medical examination in the Spanish capital. “I feel pride that Real Madrid have noticed me but not pressure. I’ve had that at all the clubs I’ve been with. I don’t feel afraid at all,” Samuel said at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. — AP