KATHMANDU, May 9: The Armed Police Force laced with national players has lifted the fourth KNP Japan Women’s volleyball tournament for the fourth consecutive time in as much years of the inauguration of the marquee event on Tuesday. In a final match played at National Sports Council (NSC)’s covered hall, Armed Police defeated the fellow departmental team Nepal Police Club in straight sets.
Armed Police won the first set by 25-12 as there was no looking back from the strong start. Nepal Police further succumbed to sets defeat of 25-19 and 25-17 as Armed Police Force ran away with fourth title in fourth edition.
Armed Police skipper Binita Budhathoki credited the combination play of experienced players to take them past the winning line in all important final match. “We are a very experienced side. Other teams are emerging as strong challengers every time. Nepal Police performed really well but we had a more difficult game aginst New Diamond in the semi-final which helped us access the final match,” said Budhathoki after the final match.
New Diamond lifts APF volleyball trophy
Similarly, the coach of the winning side Gyanendra Bista mulled on the distinct performance of team’s spikers and other experienced players to setup an easy win in the final. “We blocked the shots and counter-attacked accordingly. Our spikers were in top-notch form to give us the win,” said Bista. However, the Nepal Police coach Rupesh Bista rued the lack of experience in countering the opposition’s tactics the main cause of failure. “Our link-up play between receive and spike was poor which cost us the game,” said Bista.
The winner of the KNP Japan’s trophy received the cash prize of Rs 150,000 whereas the runner-up bagged Rs 100,000.
Elsewhere, New Diamond secured the third position in the tournament after overcoming the known rivals Western Volleyball Association in the straight sets of 25-14, 25-16, 25-14. They received the cash prize of Rs 50,000.
The award for Best Spiker of the tournament went to New Diamond’s Pratibha Mali whereas her teammates Shalina Shrestha and Lalita Nath bagged the awards for Best Libero and Best Quicker respectively.
Similarly, Nepal Police’s Manisha Chaudhary and Kamala Pun won the Best Blocker and Best Lifter awards respectively.
Armed Police Force’s Usha Bista was awarded with the Best Server whereas their coach Gyanendra Bista was graced with Best Coach of the tournament. Best Player of the tournament was given to Armed Police’s Spiker Saraswati Chaudhary whereas her teammate Reshma Bhandari won a Special Award for her contribution in the tournament.
