Games postponed

KATHMANDU: The executive committee meeting of the fifth National Games on Thursday decided to postponed all the regional tournaments which were scheduled from March 13-16 citing technical reasons. “The meeting has decided to postponed all the regional-level games for now,” said Press and Publicity Department secretary Bhimsen Rajbahak in a release. “We will finalise the new dates after coordinating the Regional Sports Development Committees and the concerned sports associations,” he added. — HNS

NTA’s talent hunt

KATHMANDU: Nepal Taekwondo Association (NTA) is organising the first Youth Open Taekwondo Tournament from April 21-24 at the National Sports Council under its talent hunt programme. Players from Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur and Kavre will take part in the first-phase tournament, said NTA General Secretary Deep Raj Gurung at a press meet. He also informed that similar tournaments will be held once in three mo-nths in Birtamod, Biratnagar, Dang, Janakpur, Chitwan, Birgunj, Pokhara, Butwal and Dhangadi. — HNS

Kiwis call Brent Arnel

WELLINGTON: New Zealand named uncapped pace bowler Brent Arnel in their squad to face India in the first of three Tests starting on March 18. Injury-prone allrounder Jacob Oram has been left out due to concerns he is not fit enough for Test. His place has been taken by James Franklin and opening bowler Chris Martin also returns following an injury lay-off. Batsman Martin Guptill was called into the squad for the Hamilton Test for the first time since making his ODI debut in January. — AFP