Shah enters final

LALITPUR: Gaurav Shah entered the U-12 and Under-14 finals at the Birthday Cup Junior Tennis Tournament, which has been organised by All Nepal Lawn Tennis Association to mark the 35th birthday of Crown Prince Paras. Shah beat Angel Bhattarai 9-0 and will face Niraj Wagle, who beat Diwakar Ojha 9-7 in U-12 section. Shah beat Karma Gyale Gyapsu 6-1, 6-0 in U-14 semi-final and will face Amul Regmi, a 6-3, 6-2 winner over Lopsang Lama. In U-10 semis, Niraj Wagle beat Milan Rokka 9-2, and Sandesh Singh rathor defeated Anish Joshi 9-7. In U-16 section, Gaurav Shah and Ramesh Karki entered the semi-finals, while Kencho Palten and Salony Lama made it to the girls’ U-14 final. — HNS

NMSS Marathon

KATHMANDU: Nepal Medical Students’ Society (NMSS) is organising the marathon race on Sunday. Medical students from various medical colleges all over the country will take part in the second edition of the event, said NMSS in a release on Friday. “This year we have an added attraction with the participation of well known professors and doctors like Dr Bhagawan Koirala, Dr Arun Sayami, Prof Dr Mahesh Khakurel, Dr Ramesh Kanta Adhikari,” the release added. The event will start from Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre and passes through Narayan Gopal Chowk, Teaching Hospital, Lazimpat, Lainchaur, Durbarmarg, Old Bus Park, Bhadrakali and Shahid Gate. — HNS

England call Monty

LONDON: Monty Panesar was called up on Friday to fill the vacant spin berth for England’s upcoming three-Test tour of India. Monty, 23, who has become the first Sikh to be picked for a senior England squad, is now set to head to his parents’ homeland in two weeks’ time. The Northamptonshire bowler saw off competition from Ian Blackwell and Alex Loudon and, with spinner Ashley Giles uncertain to tour because of a hip injury, Panesar could make his Test debut on India’s spin-friendly pitches, where he played for England Under-19s. — AFP