Martyr Amatya Gold Cup football kicks off

By a Post Reporter

BIRGUNJ, Feb 17 - The ninth martyr Tej Bahadur Amatya Gold Cup football tournament kicked off Thursday at the local Narayani stadium with the visiting team, Railway Football Club (RFC), Calcutta taking the inaugural match by 2-0 against Youth Sports Club of Birgunj.

The match started off in a brisk pace with the teams engaging in countless exchange of attacks. Although the chances were coming thick and fast, neither could make use of them.

YSC wasted a fine opportunity in the 12th minute when the striker, Ghanashyam putting his shot wide while T Dey of RFC failed to translate his stunning run with the ball into goal as he was stopped by YSC keeper in the 16th minute.

RFC did find the net toward the close of the opening session only to be disallowed by the referee for a foul.

After the scoreless first session, RFC, changing their game plan, started much more aggressively in the second half. But it was only in the 50th minute of the match that their effort paid off. B Sen Gupta, who was to be declared man of the match later, demonstrating his exhilerating skill edged past couple of defenders to give his team a 1-0 lead.

The goal had little or no effect on YSC’s excitement as they continued to push forward in search of the much needed equaliser. Despite applying relentless pressure on the opposition, any hopes of the vociferous local supporters that their team staging a comeback in the match was dented when T Dey slotted home one more for RFC in a counter-attack four minutes from time to seal the match 2-0 in their favour.

Earlier, the tournament was inaugurated by the chief guest, widow of martyr Amatya, Ananta Laxmi Amatya amid a function. On the occasion, she also gave away cash rewards contributed by Dabur Nepal Ltd to the SAF Games medal winning players of the Parsa district--Pramila Thapa, Pramod Manandhar, Rakesh Ranjit, Dharma Raj Yadav and Somi Yadav.

In an attempt to instil more interest among audience, the tournament organisers have included several business houses to sponsor gift hampers and cash prizes on daily ticket sales.

Boys Sports Club will take on Raj Milk Football Club of Patna on Friday.

Sports programme in 205 constituencies

KATHMANDU, Feb 17 (PR)- Following the success of Nepal in the 8th South Asian Federation Games, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture has decided to start the sports development programme in 205 election constituencies from this year.

In a press release issued on Thursday, the Ministry stated that the resounding success of the 8th SAF Games and the growth in the interest among the public towards the sports, it has been felt necessary to introduce some new programmes which could bring about growth in players both in terms of quality as well as quantity, further boosting public interest in the sports. It was also stated that the programme, which is to be organised by the Ministry, has been entrusted to NSC for the smooth implementation with the Ministry keeping up proper supervision and evaluation on it.