Kathmandu, May 23

The Turkish Airlines Engage Empowering League, a premier wheelchair basketball tournament, is beginning here on June 2.

A total of 14 teams — nine in men’s section and five in women’s category — will take part in the competition, informed the organisers at a press meet today. The participating teams will play against each other in the single round robin league. And top two teams will compete for the title, while next two teams play for third place, informed Bharat BC, Program Associate at Engage.

Top three teams in both sections will receive Rs 30,000, Rs 25,000 and Rs 20,000, while Most Valuable Players and highest scorers will get Rs 6,000 and Rs 5,000 respectively. Likewise, Fair Play Teams will earn Rs 10,000 each.

SIRC, WSA, BIA, NSCISA, JWSC, TAC, Chitwan, Pokhara and Nepalgunj are the teams competing in men’s section, while WSA, BIA, NSCISA, JWSC and WWBA will take part in women’s competition. The league round matches will be played at The British School in Jhamsikhel, Army Barrack in Chhauni and St Xavier College in Maitighar, while the third place and final matches will be held at the National Sports Council covered hall at Dasharath Stadium.

Turkish Airlines is the title sponsor of the tournament, while Governance Facility and Embassy of Switzerland are the partners.

“Making the life accessible for everyone is the main message we want to give through this tournament and we are committed to make it more bigger in the days to come,” said Abdullah Tuncer Kececi, General Manager of Turkish Airlines.

The event is also supported by Nabil Bank, Dlife Style, Four Season Travel and Tours, Civil Bank, NSCISA, Fairfield by Marriott, Norvic Hospital, Heutada Dairy Industries, Pashupati Biscuits, MSI & SPN, AYON, The Duke of Edinburgh International Awards, AIESEC, TRIFC, Teach for Nepal and Thames International College.