Boxing qualifiers

KATHMANDU: A six-member Nepali boxing team is leaving for Bangkok on Thursday to participate in the Asian zone qualifiers for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Three boxers — Dinesh Shrestha of Nepal Police, Ajit Gurung of Armed Police Force and Bikash Pariyar of Nepali Army — will play the qualifiers slated for January 24 to February 3. Shrestha, Gurung and Pariyar will fight in 57kg, 60kg and 75kg category respectively. They will be accompanied by Prachanda Sharma (coach), Indra Karki (manager) and Madan Gurung (judge).— HNS

Ramailo badminton

LALITPUR: Kamal Raj Karnikar and Chandra Shrestha beat Sushan and Robin 21-19, 18-21, 21-12 in the men’s doubles of the fifth Ramailo Badminton Tournament on Wednesday. Also winning in the men’s doubles were, Rajesh/Tyson, Kalyan Rana/Prem Tamang, Kamal/Lalit, Shiva Rai/Mani Kumar Thapa, Sunil Shakya/Kishor Byanjankar and Prakash Rai/Bimal Shrestha. In the veterans’ doubles, Bishow Chitrakar and Bindra Rai overcame Jit Rai and Ganesh Rai 15-13, 15-8. Other winners in the veterans’ doubles were YB Ghale/Kapil and Bharat/Ganga. — HNS

Phil joins Sunderland

SUNDERLAND: Sunderland signed defender Phil Bardsley from Manchester United on a 3-year contract. The deal is worth up to $3.9 million Sunderland said. “We needed to strengthen our defence and Phil is a good addition to the squad,” said Sunderland manager Roy Keane. Bardsley recently ended a loan spell at Sheffield United. — AP