Junior football

KATHMANDU: Chandra Bhairabh Club ‘B’ thrashed Namobuddha Samaj Kalyan Yuva Paribar Club 8-2 in the Nepal Bank Junior (U-15) Football Tournament here at the Sanogaucharan grounds on Friday. Bijay Sapkota and Nikhil Deshar scored two goals each, while Suraj Chitrakar, Bibek Deshar, Subin Maharjan and Subash Tamang scored one apiece for the winning side. Suraj Pache Magar and Sunil Moktan replied for Namobuddha. In another match of the day, Garuda Sports Club beat Tri-Ratna School 2-0, riding on goals from Sushil Shrestha and Sachit Lama. — HNS

Pun takes lead
KATHMANDU: DIG Niraj Pun accumulated 41 points to take the lead on the first day of the Pakistan Ambassador’s Cup Golf Tournament here at the Royal Nepal Golf Club on Friday. Pun, playing with five-handicap allowance, scored 21 on the front nine and added 20 on the back. Prem Gurung is at second with 38 points, while Maj HR Gurung is third at 35. A total of 29 players completed their rounds on the first day of the tournament, while other 44 will compete on Saturday. — HNS

Friendly called off
KATHMANDU: Nepal’s only practice match against Bermuda-XI, ahead of the ICC World Cricket League Division-III, was called off due to wet outfield on Thursday. Nepal were scheduled to play a friendly against the local team but due to overnight rain, no play was possible, informed team’s video analyst Raman Shiwakoti. Nepal had left for Bermuda earlier than the tournament schedule to acclimatise with the local conditions. Nepal will begin their Division-III campaign against the United States of America on April 28. Bermuda, Uganda, Italy and Oman are the others team in Division-III which will send the top two teams after the round robin league into the 2014 ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier. — HNS 

White House win
LALITPUR: White House and Golden Gate International College registered victories in the KCM Basketball Bash here on Friday. White House eased past hosts Kathmandu College of Management 56-26 riding on 14 points from Bijay Khatri and 13 from Bijay Burja, while Bikram Dangol posted 21 points as Golden Gate hammered Little Angels’ College of Management 60-28. In another boys’ section match, Kantipur Engineering College overcame Nepal Engineering College 37-19 with 16 points from Sagar Pokhrel. – HNS

Karatekas depart
LALITPUR: A three-member Nepali karate team on Friday left for India to participate in the first Open International Women’s Karate Tournament to be held in Kolkata on Saturday. Seema Khadka will compete in 40kg and Manish Ranabhat is participating in 55kg event. Both are from Little Angels’ School. Coach Hari Sharan Khadka is accompanying the team for the tournament organised to mark the International Women’s Day. LA School founding Principal Umesh Shrestha among other bade farewell to the team. – HNS 

Jas goal lifts Saipal
KATHMANDU: Jas Bahadur Rai struck the decider as Saipal Academy defeated Dakshhin Dhoka 1-0 in the first Birendra Library Six-a-side Football Tournament here on Friday. In other matches, ICST Finance, Sindhu Sports Club and Bouddha Tamang Guthi registered victories. ICST edged TSC 1-0 with a lonely strike for Rajan Thapa. Sunil Lama and Buddha Lama netted one goal each as Sindhu beat Pathivara Sports Club 2-0. Bouddha, meanwhile, needed a 3-0 tie breaker victory to pip Freedom Club after the normal time ended on a goalless draw. – HNS

WAW to give Nepal sports wheelchairs

KATHMANDU: The disable athletes of Nepal will get 11 Sports Wheelchairs from the Wheelchair Athletes Worldwide (WAW) when the America NGO visits here for Nepal Wheelchair Sports Clinic and Tournament beginning from May 10-12.

The three-day programme aims at strengthening the mental, physical and social outlook and build capacity of disabled individuals apart from encouraging the public to become involved in creating more inclusion. To materialise the goal, Nepal will be provided with modern, competitive and newer sports wheelchairs to use in adaptive sports programmes apart from organising the interactive clinics and inviting public for the programme. 

WAW President Dan Altan will be attending the programme. The Wheelchair Sports Clinic and Tournament is jointly organised by various NGOs including Nepal Wheelchair Rugby Association (NWRA), Nepal Spinal Injury Sports Association, Nepal Physiotherapy Association, Bikash Nepal, VSO Nepal and ENGAGE. CRSC, Nepal Paralympic Committee and National Sports Council are also helping the three-day programme.

Dragon Air/Cathay Pacific, Chaudhary Group, Bottlers Nepal, International College of Hospitality Management, Media Gallery, Force along with Nature Trail Travels and Tours are the corporate partners. The Himalayan Times is the official media partner.

Tashi defends Shikhar Insurance Cup

KATHMANDU: Lobsang Tashi defended the title of the Shikhar Insurance Cup Golf Tournament here at the Gokarna Golf Club today.

Played under stableford 3/4 handicap format over 18 holes, the four-handicap amateur Tashi accumulated 39 points to win the title for the second straight year. He scored 22 points on the front nine that included birdies on the second and third holes. Tashi added 17 on the back nine.

Gopal Chitrakar finished second on count back after he was tied on 38 points with Subodh Thapa. Chitrakar scored 19 points on either halves, while third-placed Subodh scored 21 and 17 on the front and back nines respectively. Vijay Shrestha Einhaus won the best gross award with 35 points.

Rekha Ghimire won the women’s section title with 28 points, while Dr Rita Thapa came second with 27 points. Aditi Ghimire claimed the junior section award with 35 points, whereas Lt Gen KNS Thapa won the senior section trophy with 37 points. TG Shrestha won the longest drive and Kim Byung Taek bagged closest-to-the-pin award.

Off the course, Dr Rajan Amatya, Sushil Sharma and Jyotsana Shrestha won the door prizes sponsored by Green Line Centre, while Raju Neupane bagged the vehicle insurance upto four million rupees on lucky draw. 

A total of 124 golfers took part in the second edition of the tournament sponsored by Shikhar Insurance Company Limited. Chairman of the company Bikash SJB Rana, Chief Executive Officer Dip Prakash Pandey and President of Gokarna Golf Club Suhrid Ghimire among others handed over the prizes to the winners.

Tashi defends Shikhar Insurance Cup

KATHMANDU: Lobsang Tashi defended the title of the Shikhar Insurance Cup Golf Tournament here at the Gokarna Golf Club today.

Played under stableford 3/4 handicap format over 18 holes, the four-handicap amateur Tashi accumulated 39 points to win the title for the second straight year. He scored 22 points on the front nine that included birdies on the second and third holes. Tashi added 17 on the back nine.

Gopal Chitrakar finished second on count back after he was tied on 38 points with Subodh Thapa. Chitrakar scored 19 points on either halves, while third-placed Subodh scored 21 and 17 on the front and back nines respectively. Vijay Shrestha Einhaus won the best gross award with 35 points.

Rekha Ghimire won the women’s section title with 28 points, while Dr Rita Thapa came second with 27 points. Aditi Ghimire claimed the junior section award with 35 points, whereas Lt Gen KNS Thapa won the senior section trophy with 37 points. TG Shrestha won the longest drive and Kim Byung Taek bagged closest-to-the-pin award.

Off the course, Dr Rajan Amatya, Sushil Sharma and Jyotsana Shrestha won the door prizes sponsored by Green Line Centre, while Raju Neupane bagged the vehicle insurance upto four million rupees on lucky draw. 

A total of 124 golfers took part in the second edition of the tournament sponsored by Shikhar Insurance Company Limited. Chairman of the company Bikash SJB Rana, Chief Executive Officer Dip Prakash Pandey and President of Gokarna Golf Club Suhrid Ghimire among others handed over the prizes to the winners.

Armymen crowned hockey champions

JANAKPURDHAM: Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) today lifted the Pashupati Paints National Hockey Tournament tiltle prevailing over Far-western Development Region in penalty shootout after an intense final battle.

Both teams were unable to score in the regular 70 minutes and after a goalless 15-minute of extra time, TAC defeated Far-west 4-2 in extra time for the title. Along with the trophy, TAC bagged a purse of Rs 75,000 and runners-up Far-west took home Rs 40,000. Third placed Central Development Region got Rs 25,000 and Eastern Region took Rs 10,000 for their fourth-place finish. 

In the final match held at the Janakpur Cigaratte Factory, Dipendra Ayer, Ram Shah, Ranjit Rawat and Amit Srivastav were on target for the departmental team. Only Kantu Ram Paneru and Suresh Joshi managed to score from the spot for Far-west. Dipendra was also adjudged the best player of the tournament that won him a purse of Rs 10,000.

Prime enter quarters

LALITPUR: Prime and Gurukul entered the quarter-finals of the KCM Basketball Bash winning their respective matches here on Saturday. Prime hammered Kathmandu University 57-27 with 14 points from Sagar Thapa and 11 from Siddhartha Maharjan. Shiva Thapa top scored in the match with 17 points for the losing side. Gurukul, meanwhile, earned a hard-fought 43-38 victory over White House. Sadish Pradhan netted 12, while Binod Maharjan scored 10 points for Gurukul. Sanjay Byanjankar poured in 19 points for White House — who also followed Gurukul in the last eight despite the loss. The three teams will be joined by Oxford, K&K, Ace, KEC and Golden Gate in the boys’ section quarters.

DCA team departs

DHANGADHI: A Dhangadhi Cricket Academy (DCA) team on Saturday left for Lucknow to play five friendly matches in the Indian city. The DCA team led by Bibesh Singh will play matches against Jyoti Cricket Club. The team which consists 25 players from U-11 age group to U-16 includes Aman Panthi, Ganesh Bohora, Tekendra Khadka, Subrat Shah, Shailendra Regmi, Shiv Raj Ayer, Nurin Ansari, Roshan Adhikari, Saurav Dhungana, Prashant Bhandari, Paras Rawal, Spandan Balayer, Prashant Rawal, Subodh Ayer, Bhuwan Thapa, Amar Dhanuk, Manoj KC, Anmol Swar, Apurva Khadka, Nirmal Bhatta, Yubaraj Thapa and Jackson Tamang. DCA President Subash Bahadur Shahi and founding member Dhirendra Saud bade farewell to the team.

Six-a-side Football 

KATHMANDU: Balkumari Football Club routed Kathmandu University (KU) City College 4-1 in the first Birendra Library Six-a-side Football Tournament here on Saturday. Biplab Lama struck a hat-trick in Balkumari’s comprehensive victory, while Sandesh Lama added the other. Ram Chhetri replied for KU City. In other matches, Chabahil United and Suru Team struggled to earn tie-breaker victories. Chabahil edged TYC 4-1 after a goalless draw in the normal time and Suru sneaked past Birendra Library ‘A’ 3-0 after both teams failed to score in the regular time.

University in final 

BHAKTAPUR: University Sports Federation and Guheshwori Battalion of the Nepal APF set the title clash of the first Nationwide Open Men’s Volleyball Tournament here on Saturday. University eased past Shri Padma Higher Secondary School 25-16, 25-18, 25-13 in the first semi-final, while APF defeated hosts Madhyapur Sports Group ‘Red’ 25-23, 25-14, 25-16. The final will be held on April 6. The top three finishers will receive Rs 15,000, Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000 respectively.

NMC rout IOM

LALITPUR: Paras Pant scored a hat-trick as Nepal Medical College (NMC) outplayed hosts Institute of Medicine (IOM) ‘B’ 5-1 in the inaugural match of the first Diwas Khadka Memorial Inter Medical College Football Tournament here at the Army Physical Training and Sports Centre in Lagankhel on Saturday. Madan Prajapati and Sanjay Magar also netted one each for NMC, while Santosh Upadhyay scored a consolation goal for IOM. Earlier, IOM Campus Chief

Prof Dr JK Shrestha inaugurated the tournament.In all, 16 teams across the nation are taking part in the eight-day event. KIST Medical College will take on Kathmandu Medical College, while IOM ‘A’ are up against College of Medical Sciences, Bharatpur on Sunday.

Shrestha wins title

POKHARA: Puran Shrestha won the title of the Monthly Medal golf tournament on count back here at the Himalayan Golf Course on Sunday. Played under stroke play format, the 15-handicap golfer Shrestha finished first on count back after he was tied on even-par 70 nett with 18-handicapper Chandra Limbu. Shrestha scored 43 on front nine before adding 42 on the back, while Limbu earned 43 and 45 on the two halves. Basanta Gauchan came third at 74. President of Kaski District Golf Association Maj LP Gurung gave away prizes. 

Kathmandu in final 

BHOJPUR: Kathmandu-XI advanced to the final of the Bhojpur Gold Cup tournament final with a 3-2 win over Kanchanjungha FC of West Bengal here on Sunday. Kamal Shrestha scored a brace and Alvis Appiah struck one for Kathmandu-XI. Arun Lama and Niwas Magar replied for Kanchangungha. Gorkha Boys Sports Club of Rupandehi will take on Church Boys of Kathmandu in the second semi-final on Monday.

NRT withdrawal case goes into ANFA Disciplinary Committee

KATHMANDU: The Disciplinary Committee of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) is set to impose sanction on New Road Team (NRT), who decided to stay away from all sporting activities for at least one year on Saturday. 

“We received written information today from NRT of their intent of staying out for the 2013-14 season. The Disciplinary Committee will decide on the nature of penalty to be imposed on the club,” informed ANFA spokesperson and Vice-president Lalit Krishna Shrestha. “Since such incident is totally a strange one, the disciplinary committee has the sole authority to decide on the matter.”

The last season's tournament regulation had the provision of demotion and a fine of Rs 500,000 to any club quitting the league after registering at the ANFA. But since NRT have not registered the club for the new season, it is uncertain what kind of penalty would the governing body impose on the club. 

The Special General Assembly of NRT on Saturday had decided not to take part in any sporting activity for one year and focus on paying back the debts. 

Meanwhile, ANFA spokersperson Shrestha informed all the other 13 top-flight clubs, except for NRT, were registered at the ANFA today. ANFA had set the Sunday deadline for registration. The registered clubs were League champions Three Star, Manang Marshyangdi, Tribhuvan Army, Friends, Ranipokhari Corner Team, Nepal Police, Machhindra FC, Saraswoti Youth, Himalayan Sherpa, Jawalakhel Youth, Nepal APF, Sankata and the newly promoted side Boys Union.

NRT withdrawal case goes into ANFA Disciplinary Committee

KATHMANDU: The Disciplinary Committee of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) is set to impose sanction on New Road Team (NRT), who decided to stay away from all sporting activities for at least one year on Saturday. 

“We received written information today from NRT of their intent of staying out for the 2013-14 season. The Disciplinary Committee will decide on the nature of penalty to be imposed on the club,” informed ANFA spokesperson and Vice-president Lalit Krishna Shrestha. “Since such incident is totally a strange one, the disciplinary committee has the sole authority to decide on the matter.”

The last season's tournament regulation had the provision of demotion and a fine of Rs 500,000 to any club quitting the league after registering at the ANFA. But since NRT have not registered the club for the new season, it is uncertain what kind of penalty would the governing body impose on the club. 

The Special General Assembly of NRT on Saturday had decided not to take part in any sporting activity for one year and focus on paying back the debts. 

Meanwhile, ANFA spokersperson Shrestha informed all the other 13 top-flight clubs, except for NRT, were registered at the ANFA today. ANFA had set the Sunday deadline for registration. The registered clubs were League champions Three Star, Manang Marshyangdi, Tribhuvan Army, Friends, Ranipokhari Corner Team, Nepal Police, Machhindra FC, Saraswoti Youth, Himalayan Sherpa, Jawalakhel Youth, Nepal APF, Sankata and the newly promoted side Boys Union.

NRT withdrawal case goes into ANFA Disciplinary Committee

KATHMANDU: The Disciplinary Committee of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) is set to impose sanction on New Road Team (NRT), who decided to stay away from all sporting activities for at least one year on Saturday. 

“We received written information today from NRT of their intent of staying out for the 2013-14 season. The Disciplinary Committee will decide on the nature of penalty to be imposed on the club,” informed ANFA spokesperson and Vice-president Lalit Krishna Shrestha. “Since such incident is totally a strange one, the disciplinary committee has the sole authority to decide on the matter.”

The last season's tournament regulation had the provision of demotion and a fine of Rs 500,000 to any club quitting the league after registering at the ANFA. But since NRT have not registered the club for the new season, it is uncertain what kind of penalty would the governing body impose on the club. 

The Special General Assembly of NRT on Saturday had decided not to take part in any sporting activity for one year and focus on paying back the debts. 

Meanwhile, ANFA spokersperson Shrestha informed all the other 13 top-flight clubs, except for NRT, were registered at the ANFA today. ANFA had set the Sunday deadline for registration. The registered clubs were League champions Three Star, Manang Marshyangdi, Tribhuvan Army, Friends, Ranipokhari Corner Team, Nepal Police, Machhindra FC, Saraswoti Youth, Himalayan Sherpa, Jawalakhel Youth, Nepal APF, Sankata and the newly promoted side Boys Union.

Rajib strikes gold

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s Rajib Kumar Gurung struck the men's 35-39yrs category sprint gold medal during the ASTC Asian Triathlon Championships in Subic Bay, Philippines on Sunday. Rajib clocked 1:09:57 to complete 750m swimming, 20km cycling and 5km running on his way to win the honour. Oliver Phillip Vargas (1:10:51) of Philippines and Yougood Ahmed (1:16:51) of Maldives were restricted to silver and bronze medals. It was the first time that Nepalese athlete was participating in any international event on foreign soil. The Tribhuvan Army Club athlete was selected for the tournament winning the first South Asian Championships in Pokhara on March 30. 

Kathmandu FA win 

KATHMANDU: Susan Shrestha scored a solitary goal as Kathmandu District Football Association (FA) defeated Pawan Prakriti High School 1-0 in the Nepal Bank Junior (Under-15) Football Tournament here on Sunday. Likewise, Active Youth Club cruised past Gyanmala Football Club 3-1, Little Angel’s School hammered Bansbari Club 3-0 and Panchkhal United Football Club outplayed Mangal Youth Club 5-0 in other matches of the day. 

Inter-college football 

LALITPUR: Sarwin Waslang scored the lone goal as College of Medical Sciences of Bharatpur edged the hosts Institute of Medicine (IOM) ‘A’ 1-0 in the first Diwas Khadka Memorial Inter Medical College Football tournament here on Sunday. Likewise, Kathmandu Medical College dispatched KIST Medical College 5-3 in tie-breaker after a 1-1 draw in the normal time. 

FINA Clinic begins 

KATHMANDU: FINA Swimming Official Clinic, organised by the Nepal Swimming Association, began on Sunday. A total of 40 trainees are participating in the three-day clinic. FINA expert Ong Hok Lai will conduct the clinic. National Sports Council Vice-president Pitambar Timsina inaugurated the clinic. 

Three Star feted 

LALITPUR: Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City on Sunday felicitated ‘A’ Division League champions Laxmi Bank Three Star Club with cash rewards. Chief Executive of the Sub-Metropolitan Mohan Nath Maskey handed over a cheque of Rs 200,000 to Three Star president Lalit Krishna Shrestha. Maskey wished luck to Three Star in the upcoming AFC President’s Cup Group ‘A’ Qualifiers scheduled here for May 7-11.

Inexperienced Nepal face tough challenge

LALITPUR: An inexperienced Nepal will face a huge task of proving themselves by securing a place in the ICC U-19 World Cup when they begin a testing journey of the ACC U-19 Elite Cup in Malaysia from May 3-11.

In a tournament where only the winners are guaranteed a spot in the ICC U-19 World Cup, Nepal are carrying with them a squad where nine players are yet to make debut in any form of age group cricket. 

While skipper Bhuwan Karki is the most experienced player in the side, Avinash Karn, Ram Naresh Giri, Sushan Bhari Shrestha and Nischal Pandey are the others with international experience. 

With an average squad, coach Jagat Tamatta knew Nepal have a lot to prove. “It is a challenging job both for me and my team as there are lot of players yet to play competitive cricket in the age group,” said Tamatta during a training session at the Pulchowk Engineering grounds today.

But Tamatta was still confident that his untested side will come good in Malaysia. “Our preparations have gone pretty well. We have gone through some rigorous training sessions that have prepared us mentally and physically. I have the confidence that if we play to our potential, we have a team which can guide us to the World Cup,” added the coach, who is in his third assignment with the national team. 

Tamatta guided Nepal to a runner-up finish in the 2011 ACC U-19 Elite Cup in Thailand and under him Nepal made a return to the 2012 ICC U-19 World Cup finishing second in the World Qualifier in Ireland. Tamatta also urged his batsmen to back their bowling attack. “We have a good bowling attack and if we put 200 runs on the board, we can easily defend that total,” he said.

Bhuwan, with an experience of six age group international tournaments along with one appearance in the ACC Trophy Elite last year with the senior team, was not ready to call his side immature. 

“We can’t deny the fact that nine of our players have not played international tournaments. But they have matured themselves playing in the national tournaments against the likes of our senior team members,” said Bhuwan, who along with Avinash and Ram Naresh had played the 2012 ICC U-19 World Cup in Australia.

Bhuwan was confident that the hard work during the training will bear fruit for Nepal. “We have done very well in the training sessions. There are some classic batsmen who can play the whole 50 overs and bowlers who can do even better,” said the left arm spinner, adding Avinash’s experience is going to play a huge role.

After Bhuwan, Avinash is the most experienced player with five international tournaments, while fellow seamer Ram Naresh and batting all rounder Nischal Pandey have played two each. Sushan has the experience of playing in the 2010 ACC U-16 Elite Cup held in Nepal. 

SQUAD: Bhuwan Karki (capt), Amit Shrestha, Nischal Pandey, Rahul Pratap Singh, Hari Shankar Shah, Pawan Shrestha, Bivatsu Thapa, Nirmal Thapa, Prem Tamang, Irshad Ahmed, Sushan Bhari Shrestha, Avinash Karn, Ram Naresh Giri, Yagya Man Kumal. Coach: Jagat Tamatta.

Gorkha Boys enter final

BHOJPUR: Defending champions Gorkha Boys Sports Club of Rupandehi advanced to the third Bhojpur Gold Cup final defeating Church Boys Club of Kathmandu 2-1 here on Monday. Raj Poudel provided Gorkha Boys an early third minute lead before Victor levelled the scores in the 39th minute. Just as it appeared the match was heading towards the extra-time, Shiva Shrestha scored the decider in the dying moments of injury time. Stephen of the winning side was adjudged the man-of-the-match. Gorkha Boys will take on Kathmandu-XI in the final. 

Junior National C’ships 

KATHMANDU: The third meeting of the School Sports Development Board (SSDB) on Monday decided to organise the first National School Sports here from June 10. The tournament, named the Junior National Championships, will be jointly organised by the SSDB, Higher Secondary Schools Association Nepal (HISSAN), Private and Boarding School’s Organisation, Nepal (PABSON) and N-PABSON. In all, 13 sports disciplines — basketball, volleyball, chess, 

swimming, table tennis, football, karate, wushu, baghchal, cricket, athletics, kabaddi and 

taekwondo — are included in the four-day 

meet. Only 11 events will have district and regional selection tournament, while swimming and table tennis will be the open one. District selection will be completed before May 29, while regional selection will take place before June 8. HISSAN will conduct basketball, volleyball, chess, swimming and table tennis, while PABSON has been given the responsibility to organise football, karate, wushu and baghchal. Cricket, athletics, kabaddi and taekwondo will be conducted by N-PABSON. 

Boxing clinic concludes 

BHAKTAPUR: National Boxing Referee and Judge Clinic, organised by the Bhaktapur District Boxing Committee, concluded here on Monday. In all, 30 referees and judges including six women from five development regions and three departmental sides participated in the clinic. 

Pharping, Banepa triumph

KATHMANDU: Pharping Sports Development Committee and Banepa Boys Club won their respective matches of the Nepal Bank Junior (U-15) Football Tournament here at the Sano Gaucharan grounds on Monday. Pharping edged Janamarg Youth Club 5-4 in penalty shootout after a goalless stalemate in the normal time. Banepa, meanwhile, trounced Amar English School 6-0 with Janak Giri and Sachin Basnet scoring a brace each. Bibek Shrestha and Suman Timalsina also struck one each for the winners.

Rampant Taylor demolishes Nepal

 Nepal made a shaky start to their ICC World Cricket League Division-III campaign losing to the United States of America (USA) by 94 runs at the Somerset Cricket Club grounds in Bermuda on Sunday. 

Opener Steven Taylor flayed Nepali bowling attack with a blazing 162 off 102 balls that lifted USA to a mammoth 366-6. Taylor clobbered 12 sixes and as many boundaries. With a mountain to climb, Nepal lost half their team for 106 runs by the 24th over before their innings folded at 272 all out with one ball to spare. 

After the defeat Nepali skipper Paras Khadka was left disappointed. “Maybe a bigger ground would have made a difference, but Taylor batted extremely well, and I think that was one of the best innings we’ve encountered. The bowlers of both the teams had a really tough time,” said Paras. 

Paras, however, was not giving up so easily. “This is the just the start, so we need to take positives from the game and move ahead. In the World Cricket League, every match is equally important and you cannot make excuses. You’ve got to adapt and adjust yourself accordingly,” he said. 

Nepal needed a strong start in their reply but lost opener Anil Mandal for a duck in the second over. Subash Khakurel — who had made 115 against USA during their Division-IV match in Malaysia last year — fell for 23 after hitting three fours and a six in 27 balls. Elmore Hutchinson dismissed both Nepali openers. 

No 3 batsman Gyanendra Malla (nine)was run out and, after Neil McGarrell had Binod Bhandari (four) and Pradeep Airee (14), Nepal’s score read 106-5 in 23.2 overs. Paras and Sharad Vesawkar then added some quick runs to give slim hope to Nepali camp. Paras hit nine fours and two sixes on his way to 64-ball 73 before Barrington Bartley dismissed the Nepali skipper ending the 69-run stand for the sixth wicket. 

Sharad completed his half century in 38 balls before watching Basanta Regmi (seven) lost his wicket to Muhammad Ghous that left Nepal tottering at 198-7. Sharad continued to play big shots smashing Bartley and Huthinson for one six each but was bowled by Ghous in the 43rd over. Sharad made 72 off 61 with six sixes and four boundaries. 

Shakti Gauchan and Sanjam Regmi then added 44 runs for the ninth wicket to delay the inevitable. Sanjam (14) was run out in the last over and a ball later Shakti fell to McGarrell after hitting two sixes and as many boundaries in his 47-ball 39. McGarrell returned with 3-42 from 9.5 overs. 

Earlier, Nepal contained USA in the first seven overs conceding just 28 runs but once Taylor and fellow opener Orlando Baker hit Sanjam for 18 runs in the ninth over, there was no stopping the Americans. The duo led the strong foundation with a stand of 125 runs in 17 overs. 

Basanta gave Nepal the breakthrough dismissing Baker for 37. Taylor completed his century off just 61 balls with a four off Paras in the 23rd over. Sanjam dismissed Taylor in the 35th over and USA were suddenly 273-6 in 40.1. But No 7 Timroy Allen began from where Taylor had left. Allen smashed 67 off 34 balls and along with McGarrell (22) shared an unbroken 93-run stand in the last 59 balls. Allen hit six sixes and four fours. 

Basanta was the most impressive among the Nepali bowlers with figures of 46-2 from 10 overs. Shakti returned with 1-81, while Sanjam and seamer Amrit Bhattarai also had one scalp apiece. 

In other matches on the opening day, Uganda defeated hosts Bermuda by 114 runs and Oman beat Italy by seven wickets.

Memo to Chairman Regmi

BIRATNAGAR: The Nepal-India Friendship Youth Association, Morang, has demanded that Biratnagar Office of the Indian Embassy, not to be removed from there.

Sending a memorandum to Chairman of the Interim Election Council of Ministers, Khil Raj Regmi, today, the Association said that the office should not be removed from the place as the office has been providing support in different sectors including education, social and business. 

A team under the leadership of Chairman of the Association, Mohammad Nasarul, sent the memo to Chairman Regmi through the Chief District Officer.

Similarly, industrialists, political parties and locals have been demanding that the Biratnagar-based office of the Indian Embassy should not be removed.

Artificially ripened mangoes causing health hazards

JANAKPURDHAM: Mangoes ripened by using chemicals which are sold in local market have started to have adverse impact on people's health.

Doctors have warned that consuming such mangoes ripened by using the chemical 'carbide' causes negative effects in the stomach as well as the consumers' overall health.

It is found that fruit sellers use carbide as mangoes start to ripen within 24 hours after the use of this chemical, thereby reducing the ripening time, which means that they can sell large quantities in short time.

Dr. Surendra Kumar Karna said consumption of such mangoes would leave negative effect on health like pain in stomach and vomiting as it is not the season of mangoes. 

According to the Janakpur Fruit Sellers Association, a total of 15 tonnes of mangoes, worth Rs. 750 thousand, are imported to Janakpur markets daily from different places of India including Delhi, Kolkata and Madras. 

Consumers have demanded that the local bodies should stop the sale of such mangoes, which has adverse effect on the health of people. The price of such mangoes is Rs. 100 per kg in the market, said consumers. 

Duo arrested with leopard hide

The Central Investigation Bureau on Sunday arrested two persons with a leopard hide from Panchkhal, Kavrepalanchok. 

The arrested are Akbar Dunuwar (33) of Bhimtar-1 and Purna Bahadur Dunuwar (37) of Bhimtar-6.

The duo was arrested while walking on the road with a leopard skin looking for a customer, police said.

Police said they are investigating the case.

Duo arrested with leopard hide

The Central Investigation Bureau on Sunday arrested two persons with a leopard hide from Panchkhal, Kavrepalanchok. 

The arrested are Akbar Dunuwar (33) of Bhimtar-1 and Purna Bahadur Dunuwar (37) of Bhimtar-6.

The duo was arrested while walking on the road with a leopard skin looking for a customer, police said.

Police said they are investigating the case.

Bike Rider killed as tanker hits bike

 One person was killed and another injured when a tanker (Ba 2 Kha 7442) hit a motorcycle (Ba 52 Pa 728) at Balkumari Chowk in Lalitpur on Tuesday morning.

According to the police Chet Bahadur Adhikari (34) of Bara district, who was injured in the accident, died while undergoing treatment at B&B Hospital.

Injured Anjana Adhikari is undergoing treatment at the same hospital, police said.

Oscar winner Witherspoon arrested for disorderly conduct

actress Reese Witherspoon was arrested in Atlanta for alleged disorderly conduct after her husband, talent agent James Toth, was stopped by police on suspicion of drunken driving, online Hollywood magazine Variety reported on Sunday.

Witherspoon, 37, was arrested early on Friday after she quarreled with officers who had taken Toth, 42, into custody during a traffic stop of the couple on Peachtree Street, Variety said, citing an Atlanta police report.

Toth, who was behind the wheel, was pulled over when he crossed a double line on the road, Variety said, citing the police report. Appearing disheveled and smelling of alcohol, he then failed a blood-alcohol breath test administered at the scene, according to the report.

Witherspoon was warned to stay inside the vehicle, but after her husband's arrest, she got out of the automobile and said, "she was a 'U.S. citizen' and that she had the right to 'stand on American ground,'" according to Variety.

Witherspoon herself was then arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct.

The magazine, citing the arresting police officer's account in the report, said: "Mrs. Witherspoon asked, 'Do you know my name?' I answered, 'No, I don't need to know your name.' I then added, 'right now.' Mrs. Witherspoon stated, 'You're about to find out who I am.'"

The report cited by Variety further quoted Witherspoon as telling the officer, "You're going to be on national news."

The couple was released from custody at about 3:30 a.m. on Friday, and were scheduled to appear in court on Monday, but sources told Variety that their attorney is expected to request a later date.

The couple married in 2011 and have a son together. Witherspoon has two children from her first husband, actor Ryan Phillippe.

Witherspoon won an Oscar for her work in the 2005 film about country music star Johnny Cash, "Walk the Line," in which she played his wife, June Carter Cash.

Elton‚ Madonna end decade-old feud

Sir Elton John has said that his nearly decade-long war of words with Madonna has come to an end.The pair has been exchanging insults since 2004, when John, 66, accused Madonna of lip-syncing in her live concerts.

Earlier, John claimed his comments were intended to be off the record, so when the feuding pop stars coincidentally dined at the same restaurant in France, a few days later, he felt obliged to apologise.

Now, he has told the US television show Extra that he sent over a note as the Queen of Pop came to the restaurant.

“She accepted our apology and then we bought her dinner. She was really great about it. I was very relieved because she had every right to say ‘I don’t want to talk’,” he said. A few days later Madonna dedicated a song to him at a concert in Nice.

Elton‚ Madonna end decade-old feud

Sir Elton John has said that his nearly decade-long war of words with Madonna has come to an end.The pair has been exchanging insults since 2004, when John, 66, accused Madonna of lip-syncing in her live concerts.

Earlier, John claimed his comments were intended to be off the record, so when the feuding pop stars coincidentally dined at the same restaurant in France, a few days later, he felt obliged to apologise.

Now, he has told the US television show Extra that he sent over a note as the Queen of Pop came to the restaurant.

“She accepted our apology and then we bought her dinner. She was really great about it. I was very relieved because she had every right to say ‘I don’t want to talk’,” he said. A few days later Madonna dedicated a song to him at a concert in Nice.

AEG warns of "ugly stuff" in MJ's wrongful death trial

An attorney for the concert promotion company AEG Live warned jurors they would see a very different view of the charismatic Michael Jackson as the company seeks to prove it was not liable for the pop star's death.

Marvin Putnam, making his opening statement in what is expected to be an emotional wrongful death trial, said AEG officials had no idea that Jackson was taking the surgical anesthetic that led to his death.

He said the three-month civil case would bring to light "some ugly stuff" about the singer's private behavior.

"The public Michael Jackson was very different from the private Michael Jackson," Putnam said. "He erected a wall between himself and his family. Even his family wasn't sure what was going on at the house. He kept those who might have been able help him at a distance."

He said Jackson had been using the powerful anesthetic propofol for years to help him sleep "and almost no one knew."

"AEG, like everyone else, was an outsider," Putnam said. "They had no idea. It was going on behind locked doors."

The "Thriller" singer's mother, Katherine, is suing privately held AEG Live, promoters of a never-realized series of comeback concerts by Jackson, for negligence in hiring Dr. Conrad Murray as his personal physician.

Murray, convicted in 2011 for the involuntary manslaughter of Jackson with a propofol overdose, was caring for the singer as he rehearsed in Los Angeles for a series of 50 "This is It" shows in London in 2009.

Brian Panish, representing Jackson's family, said AEG Live ignored red flags when it hired Murray and should have been aware that the singer had addiction problems years before he agreed to perform the concerts.

Jackson, 50, drowning in debt and seeking to rebuild a reputation damaged by his 2005 trial and acquittal on child molestation charges, died in Los Angeles in June 2009.

In his opening argument, Panish said AEG Live failed to do proper background checks on Murray, who asked for $5 million to care for the singer. Background checks would have revealed Murray was in debt and was a cardiologist even though Jackson had no known heart issues, Panish said.

"When a red flag comes up, do you turn away or do you look into it?" Panish said. "AEG ignored the obvious red flags and they hired Dr. Murray."

AEG Live contends that it did not hire or supervise Murray, saying that a proposed contract with him was never executed. The concert promoters also have said they could not have foreseen that Murray posed a danger to Jackson.

"This case is about the choices we make and the personal responsibilities that go with that," Putnam said on Monday.

Katherine Jackson, 82, along with her children Randy and Rebbie, were among family members attending Monday's packed opening of the trial. Jackson's three children, who could be called as witnesses later, were not there.

Panish said Jackson had known problems with prescription drug addiction dating back to use of the painkiller Demerol following a burn injury when he was shooting a Pepsi commercial in 1984.

Jackson in 1993 announced he was canceling a world tour to seek treatment for his painkiller addiction.

In the days before the trial began, Panish denied the Jackson family is seeking $40 billion in damages from AEG Live, as some media had reported this month.

The final amount will be determined by the jury should it hold AEG Live liable for negligence.

A handful of Jackson fans gathered outside the court, saying they were hoping for justice for the "King of Pop."

Jackson fan Julia Thomas, 40, an office worker from Colton, California, said she hoped the trial would demonstrate what she said were the wrongs AEG Live committed against Jackson.

"They're about to be exposed because they bullied Michael, they stressed him into the grave to the point that he needed sedatives to sleep," Thomas told Reuters.

NRT withdrawal case goes into ANFA Disciplinary Committee

 The Disciplinary Committee of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) is set to impose sanction on New Road Team (NRT), who decided to stay away from all sporting activities for at least one year on Saturday. 

“We received written information today from NRT of their intent of staying out for the 2013-14 season. The Disciplinary Committee will decide on the nature of penalty to be imposed on the club,” informed ANFA spokesperson and Vice-president Lalit Krishna Shrestha. “Since such incident is totally a strange one, the disciplinary committee has the sole authority to decide on the matter.”

The last season's tournament regulation had the provision of demotion and a fine of Rs 500,000 to any club quitting the league after registering at the ANFA. But since NRT have not registered the club for the new season, it is uncertain what kind of penalty would the governing body impose on the club. 

The Special General Assembly of NRT on Saturday had decided not to take part in any sporting activity for one year and focus on paying back the debts. 

Meanwhile, ANFA spokersperson Shrestha informed all the other 13 top-flight clubs, except for NRT, were registered at the ANFA today. ANFA had set the Sunday deadline for registration. The registered clubs were League champions Three Star, Manang Marshyangdi, Tribhuvan Army, Friends, Ranipokhari Corner Team, Nepal Police, Machhindra FC, Saraswoti Youth, Himalayan Sherpa, Jawalakhel Youth, Nepal APF, Sankata and the newly promoted side Boys Union.

Fringe parties to play spoilsport in poll preps

Some 33 agitating fringe parties led by the CPN-Maoist have once more decided to hinder the poll preparations being held throughout the nation. 

A meeting of the fringe parties held on Tuesday at the central office of the CPN-Maoist, Budhanagar decided to initiate various protest programmes in their bid to obstruct the citizenship issuing campaign and other election related preparations.

The dissident fringe parties also decided not to get themselves registered in the Election Commission (EC) until the annulment of 25-point pact reached among the parties on March 14 to form Chief Justice-led Interim Election Council. 

According to the protest schedule, the parties are said to be organising various campaigns on national sovereignty all over the nation from May 8 to 28. 

Issuing a press statement on behalf of the 33 parties, CPN-Maoist Secretary Dev Gurung termed the government’s citizenship distribution campaign a poly to issue citizenship card to the foreign nationals. 

Leader Gurung informed that they are organising protest programmes in each district to protest the citizenship distribution campaigns. 

The EC has just stared the citizenship distribution campaign throughout the nation aiming to hold the new CA polls by November. 

The parties are also said to be drawing attention of the concerned bodies regarding the purported appointment of former chief secretary at the helm of the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA).

Cops uncover sandalwood racket‚ arrest 5

The sleuths deployed from Metropolitan Police Range, Hanuman Dhoka have busted a racket of red sandalwood smuggling in the capital on Tuesday morning.

Police said that five people have been arrested and two vehicles hauling the goods have been intercepted recovering 45.5 kg red sandalwood hidden in the two vehicles and a room of the racketeers.

Nurup Sherpa (27) of Sindhupalchowk, Tatopani-4, Lila Shrestha (24) of Guptang-1, Amar Shrestha, aka, Umesh (32) of Barabishe-6, Nima Chhiring (27) of Listi-1, and Padam Shrestha (47) of Jalbire of Sindhupalchowk have been arrested with the cache of the precious wood.

Police said Amar, Nima, and Padam, who all hail from Sindhupalchowk, are currently residing at Mahabaudha, Swoyambu, and Dhalku respectively.

Acting on a tip-off that Toyota vehicles (BA 1 CHA 9283 and BA 1 CHA 5020) were parked in suspicious manner in front of Heaven Mount Guesthouse and Gorkha Hospital in Thamel, the law enforcement unit found the cache of the banned goods hidden in the vehicles and room.

Police recovered 34 kgs of sandalwood from a compartment under a false bottom in the rear of the vehicle and 6 kgs from another vehicle. Similarly, police recovered another 25.5 kgs of the precious wood from a rented room of Amar Shrestha.

Police said they are investigating into the case.

Dahal calls on Indian PM Singh

Chairman of the UCPN-Maoist Pushpa Kamal Dahal who is on a visit to India held talks with Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh on Tuesday.

During the meeting held at the Indian Prime Minister's residence at 7 Race Course Road, Dahal urged the Government of India to support political stability and economic development of Nepal.

The political parties of Nepal have moved ahead in the process of taking forward the political process started after the 12-point agreement reached between the then CPN-Maoist and seven political parties, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has been formed and the peace process has almost reached close to a logical conclusion, Chairman Dahal said and requested Prime Minister Singh to support it as the stability process of Nepal would move ahead through the election of the Constituent Assembly (CA). 

Emphasizing on the need of cooperation from neighbouring countries for the political stability of Nepal, the UCPN-Maoist Chairman urged the Government of India to support in the CA election and the agenda of economic development, said Dahal's aide Shiva Khakurel. 

On the occasion, Dahal put forth the three-country partnership proposal to Indian Prime Minister Singh.

Taking the proposal put forth by Dahal in a positive way, Prime Minister Singh said that it would be better to forward the proposal after making the bilateral partnership broad and extensive.

The Indian Prime Minister assured of forwarding the proposal in the near future.

Prime Minister Singh said that the Government of India would provide all possible assistance for the stability and development of Nepal.