Friends’ Club hammer Madhyapur into submission

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BIRATNAGAR, March 4 ; Star-studded Friends’ Club thrashed Madhyapur Football Club, Bhaktapur 4-0 to enter the semifinals of the Khukuri Cup Football tournament at the Sahid Stadium Biratnagar on Tuesday.

The win saw Friends’ Club book the berth for the finals slated to be held at Dashrath Stadium in April. Friends’ Club’s Sukra Tamang drew the first blood in the 25th minute and then set up second goal for star striker Nirajan Rayamajhi in the 42nd minute. Rayamajhi latched the ball inside Madhyapur net to gain firm command in the match before the second half.

Friends’ Club veteran Bal Gopal Maharjan added one more in the 68th minute while goal machine
Rayamajhi hammered the final nail on the coffin in the 74th minute through a spotkick. Madhyapur’s Santosh Saukhan tested ace goalie Upendra Man Singh with some lethal shots but Singh equally showed his class to prevent any stunning goal from the minnows.

In Pokhara

ANFA Academy looked in superb form as they demolished Siraha Youth Club 7-0 in the quarterfinals ensuring their entry in the finals in Kathmandu.

Prabin Manandhar, Pradip Dangol and captain Prasant Giri fired two goals apiece for ANFA. Manandhar opened the account in the 22nd minute followed by goals from Prasant Giri in the 32nd minute and Pradip Dangol scored his first in the 39th minute. ANFA Academy added four more goals in the second half. Giri netted in the 68th minute and Prasant followed him in the 74th minute before Pradip Dangol and Birat Thapa finished the job striking in the 76th and 92nd minute respectively. Tuesday’s winners ANFA Academy will take on Dharan Football Team in the first semifinal while New Road Team (NRT) meet Royal Nepal Army’s Tribhuvan Club in the second semifinal of the tournament.

In Nepalgunj

Football powerhouse Manang Marsyangdi Club (MMC) compensated their successive failures in past three tournaments demolishing minnows Kailali Youth Club 16-2 to enter the semifinals of the tournament.

Striker Basanta Thapa accounted four goals while his fellow players Deepak Lama, Basanta Gauchan and Rajan Rayamajhi each fired hattricks. Kumar Thapa struck twice while Rajesh Shahi netted a goal for MMC. Ayodhya Chaudhary struck both the goals for Kailali Youth Club.

Kaji Man to bid for world record

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KATHMANDU, March 4 : Chief karate instructor at Nepal Kyokushin Karate Basantapur Dojang Kaji Man Shrestha has announced on Tuesday that he would attempt to register his name into the Guinness Book of World Records by breaking 175 cement tiles with his hands in 30 seconds.

Shrestha, speaking at a press conference, said he would make the attempt during the eighth Bir Ganeshman Singh Memorial National Karate Championship due to take place on March 7 and 8 at Basantapur Square.

He told reporters that his previous attempt - breaking 52 tiles with his head in 46:13sec -was not recognised by the prestigious institute as he had not filled up the prerequisite form for the world records.

"However, I’ve fulfilled all the requirements this time," he said. "The officials at the Guinness Book of World Records are also positive on this attempt."

The annual two-day event, this time, will draw karate players from some 22 dojangs, according to the event organisers. There will be four weight categories in below 30kg, below 40kg, below 55kg and over 55kg for men while women will contest in open weight category and in a kata event. Winners in each category will receive Rs. 5,000 while each of the runner-up and third-placed players will bag Rs. 2,500 and Rs. 1,250 respectively.

Meanwhile, the organisers also revealed that a special function would be organised on the occasion to felicitate personalities from various sectors for their outstanding contributions. According to the organising committee, those nominated for the felicitation awards include former boxing player Umesh Maskey from sports sector, Mukunda Bogati (sports journalism), cinema director Sovit Basnet (film industry).

Famous Grouse Shotgun golf on March 18

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GOKARNA, Kathmandu March 4 : The fourth Famous Grouse International Shotgun Foursomes Golf tournament 2003 will be held on March 18 at the Gokarna Golf Forest Resort, the organisers Regal Business Link said at a press conference on Tuesday.

The one-day tournament will be played on two formats; 0-10 handicap and 10-18 handicap and the winners of each category will represent Nepal at the famous St. Andrews, Scotland in October this year. Some 80 players including Nepali golfers and expatriates working in Nepal will participate in the tournament.

"Since the tournament is on shotgun format, more than 80 golfers is not feasible," said Hridesh Kumar Singh, the executive director of Regal Business Link. Singh also emphasised Regal Business’s keenness on golf and other social activities. Apart from regular category, there will also be senior and super senior winners in the tournament.

Nepali golfer Deepak Acharya briefed the press about the benefits of such kind of tournament to golfers particularly Nepali. "Besides boosting tourism, our local golfers would get a chance to show their talent in the world stage through this tournament," said Acharya. Prem Sachdev and Binod Shrestha had competed at the International Shotgun Foursomes in Scotland in 2001 and came up with good performance. Highland Distillery, Scotland and Qatar Airways would sponsor the winners to participate at the St. Andrews.

Also present at the press conference were Regal Business Link’s executive director Deepti Rana, Shasta Rana, assistant manager of Le Meridien.