Glenn McGrath to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame

Australian pace legend Glenn McGrath will be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame during the the third Test between Australia and Sri Lanka starting January 4 in Sydney.

McGrath will join Enid Bakewell and Brian Lara to become third inductee of 2012-13, the ICC said in a statement. "McGrath becomes the 68th male member of the Hall of Fame and joins fellow 2012-13 inductees West Indian Brian Lara and England's Enid Bakewell in being recognized by the ICC and the living members of the Hall of Fame."

 Glenn McGrath

While Lara and Bakewell were inducted in September at the ICC Awards, McGrath will be inducted at his home ground of the SCG. A fourth and final inductee of 2012-13 will be announced next summer.McGrath represented Australia in 124 Test matches between 1993 and 2007 and claimed 563 Test wickets at an average of 21.64. He took more Test wickets than any other seam bowler currently in the game or retired.

 Glenn McGrath

He also represented Australia in 250 ODIs, claiming 381 wickets at an average of 22.02, and was part of the Australian side that won three successive World Cups -- 1999, 2003 and 2007. He still holds the record for most wickets in World Cup competitions, with 71 scalps and his figures of 7-15 against Namibia are the best in the competition's history.

"I am honoured that the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame voting academy, which includes all the current living Hall of Famers, have nominated and voted me to be inducted into the Hall of Fame," McGrath said of the induction.

"I am very much looking forward to celebrating the occasion on 4 January with not only my friends and family, but all those at the SCG which is of course is like a second home to me," he added.

Armed Police Force(APF) Crowned Naional T20 Champions

Armed Police Force(APF) lifted the title of the Pepsi Standard Chartered National Twenty20 Cricket Tournament defeating Region Number 6 Baitadi by 95 runs in the final played at Tribhuwan University Cricket Ground, Kirtipur. 

Remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament, APF won the T20 title first time since it’s participation last year. In the first T20 national level tournament they played last year, they were defeated by Nepal Police Club in the finals which do not participate at the moment. 

Winning the toss, APF opted to bat first and scored a good total of 167 losing 5 wickets. Baitadi had a perfect start which everyone was in wait for after Paresh Lohani was dismissed for null in the very third ball of the inning. Subash Khakurel and Gyanendra Malla than boosted up the inning and laid the foundation to 71 for 2 when Khakurel got bowled for 21 runs. Man of the match Malla scored 69 runs off 59 deliveries with seven fours and a six and he also shared a partnership of 68 runs with skipper Paras Khadka. Khadka was later caught by Naresh Budayer for 53 runs off Chandra Sawad. He hit three fours and four sixes. Sharad Vesawkar also added 20 runs with one four and equal six. Sawad and Shiva Raj Sawar claimed two wickets each while Prem Budal took one for Baitadi. In reply, Baitdai lost all of their wickets for just 72 runs in 14.4 overs. Sanjam Regmi took four wickets, Shakti Gauchan grabbed three, Sunam Gautam claimed one and Basanta Regmi got one as Baitadi was restricted to a low total. Binod Bhandari and Naresh Budhayer scored 24 and 23 runs each while Prem Tamang with the score of 11 was the only other to score in a double digit figure. 

Rahuk Kumar Vishwakarma from Region Number 8 Pokhara was adjudged the best bowler of the tournament while the best batsman and the player of the tournament award went to Subash Khakurel from the winners team. Vishwakarma took 11 wickets from 4 matches maintaining the economy of 6.25. Khakurel had scored 274 runs off 6 matches with the strike rate of 157.35 and average being 91.33. Emerging player of the tournament award was given to Binod Lama from Baitadi. Lama claimed nine wickets from five matches with an average of 9.56 znf rconomy of 5.06. Khakurel received prize of Rs. 15,000 for player of the series and Rs. 10,000 for best batsman along with trophy. Vishwakarma also received Rs. 10,000 and trophy.

Winning the title, APF won the cash prize of Rs. 125,000 and trophy. Runners up Baitadi were awarded with cash prize of Rs. 75,000 and trophy.

Cricket Legend Tony Greig died at age of 66

Former England captain and prominent cricket pundit Tony Greig has died of a heart attack at the age of 66, Australian media reported on Saturday."In sad news, beloved Tony Greig, former England Cricket Captain has passed away today at the age of 66. To his family and friends we pass on our best wishes," broadcaster Channel Nine, which employed Greig as a cricket commentator, said on Twitter.

Former Indian cricket Sanjay Manjrekar and fellow commentator was still in shock."Still recovering from the news of Tony Greig passing away...absolutely shocking !!," ‏(@sanjaymanjrekar)

Tony Greig

"Salute to Tony Greg. He made little Sri Lanka reach great heights in cricket," tweeted a Sri Lankan journalist Ameen Izzadeen (@ameenizzadeen)

Greig was a household name in Sri Lanka famously predicting that Sri Lanka would win the 1996 World Cup.

"Saddened to hear the passing away of Tony Greig, RIP. Great commentator, mentor, player & friend will be missed by the cricketing family," tweeted former Aussie cricketer Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket)

Australia legend and fellow Channel Nine commentator Richie Benaud tweeted "Vale Tony Greig. A true pioneer both on and off the field. A friend and the glue of the commentary team. Already sorely missed." (@RichieBenaud_) 

One of favourite lines of Greig when the crowd goes into raptures was "they are dancing in the aisles."

Tony Greig

ESPN Cricinfo tweeted "They're dancing in the aisles in Sharjah!" Those words will never be repeated with the same passion. #RIP Tony Greig." ‏(@ESPNcricinfo)

Hemant Buch perhaps summed up why Greig was a universal figure. "Born in SA, captained Eng, lived in Aus, supported SL..fine cricketer and as good a commentator RIP #TonyGreig." (@hemantbuch)

Greig, who played 58 Tests for England, was diagnosed with lung cancer in October.

The South Africa-born Greig made his Test debut for England against Australia in Manchester in 1972 and amassed 3,599 runs for an average of 40.43 until his last match at the Oval against the same opponents in 1977.

An imposing figure standing at 6ft-6in, Greig was also a successful bowler with 141 test wickets at an average of 32.20.

Greig's captaincy ended in controversy when he was stripped of the post for his role in helping late Australian businessman Kerry Packer set up World Series Cricket in the 1970s.

Greig, a long-time resident Down Under, became a summer fixture in Australian lounge-rooms as a commentator for Channel Nine's international cricket coverage, among a number of roles in the media.Greig, who worked for the broadcaster, first became aware of his illness during Australia's one-day series against Pakistan in Dubai in August and September, it said.

Initially diagnosed with bronchitis in May, the condition lingered and, by the time of the ICC World Twenty20 that finished in Sri Lanka in October, Greig had tests that revealed a small lesion at the base of his right lung.

On his return to Australia he had fluid removed from the right lung and testing revealed he had lung cancer.

Last month, he spoke to the Channel Nine commentary team, of which he is usually a member, during their coverage of the first Test between Australia and South Africa in Brisbane.

TONY GREIG FACTFILE

Former England cricket captain Tony Greig, who was diagnosed with lung cancer in October, died on Saturday after suffering a heart attack at his Sydney home.

Here is a run-down of his career:

* Born on Oct. 6, 1946 in Queenstown, South Africa to a Scottish father.

* He Started his first-class career for Sussex and prospered as an all-rounder.

* He made his Test debut for England in the home Ashes series against Australia in 1972 at Manchester.

* A towering figure at 6ft-6in (1.98m), Greig played 58 Tests for England, scoring 3,599 runs at an average of 40.43.

* He scored eight Test hundreds and 20 fifties.

* He also took 141 Test wickets at an average of 32.20.

* Greig played 22 ODIs, scoring 269 runs and taking 19 wickets.

* Equally proficient against pace and spin, the right-handed batsman captained England in 14 Tests but his international career lasted just five years.

* He played his last Test against Australia at The Oval in August 1977 and was subsequently dropped for his role in helping late Australian business tycoon Kerry Packer set up the World Series Cricket.

* Greig, along with former Australia captain Ian Chappell, was one of the key players and recruiters of the rebel series which shook international cricket in the late 1970s.

* A noted cricket pundit known for his strong opinions, Greig later settled down in Australia and became a popular voice as a commentator for Channel Nine's international cricket coverage, among a number of roles in the media.

* He was easily recognisable in the commentary box due to his booming voice and big hat.

* Diagnosed with lung cancer in October 2012

* Died at the age of 66 in Sydney on Dec. 29.

CAN Announces eighteen members squad for ACC Women’s Championship 2013

Cricket association of Nepal (CAN) has announced 18 members squad for ACC Women’s
Championship 2013 that is going to take place in Thailand from 23rd januray to 31st Januray. Non test playing nations from asia will take part in the competition. Nepal is Grouped with Hong kong, Malaysia, UAE, Bhutan and Afghanistan in group A. Group B consist of host Thailand,China, sigapore, Kuwait,Qatar, and Iran.Winner of this Tournament will Progress to the Women’s T20 World cup Qualifier 2013 that will take place in August in 2013. 

Nepali Team :
1 : Rubina Chhetri ( Captain )
2 : Saraswati Chaudhari
3 : Karuna Bhandari
4 : Sarita Magar
5 : Rasmi Sharma Chaulagain
6 : Silu Rijal
7 : Indu Barma
8 : Trishna Sing
9 : Rekha Rawal
10 : Sobha Aale Magar
11 : Mamta Thapa
12 : Sangita Gauchan
13 : Madhu Thapa
14 : Neera Rajopadhyaya
15 : Sonu Khadka
16 : Nary Thapa
17 : Roshani Bohara
18 : Sita RanaMagar

Real Madrid to face Manchester United in Champions League

Nine-times winners Real Madrid will play Manchester United in the last 16 of the Champions League after the draw was made at UEFA's headquarters in Switzerland.

The fixture will see Real forward Cristiano Ronaldo return to his former club. Favourites Barcelona will face seven-times winners AC Milan and last season's runners-up Bayern Munich take on Arsenal. Galatasaray meet Schalke 04, Celtic take on Juventus, Porto face Malaga and Valencia clash with Paris St Germain. The first legs will take place between Feb. 12-20 and the return games between March 5-13. 

"It is going to be thrilling for everybody," Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueno said.The friendly rivalries of Mourinho and Alex Ferguson in the dugout, and star forwards Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney on the pitch add an extra dimension. 

"(Mourinho) is a fantastic manager, a fantastic coach and of course this tie is going to be a challenge for all of us," Butragueno said, declining to discuss speculation that the Portuguese will leave Madrid after the season, and covets the United job.

Hyderabad team in IPL to be called Sunrisers

Sunrisers will be the new cricket team from Hyderabad in the high-profile Indian Premier League. 

Kalanithi Maran and Chennai-based Sun TV Network own the team, which replaced Deccan Chargers, the terminated franchise.The Sun Group Thursday unveiled the name and the logo -- an eagle soaring high, looking into the core of a rising Sun. Present at the glittering ceremony were former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth, who will be the mentor and strategic analyst, coach Tom Moody and Chief Executive Officer Shanmugam. 

The team management will have some local flavour with former cricketer V.V.S. Laxman as the mentor and brand ambassador.While Laxman could not attend the function due to some personal reasons, former players Shivlal Yadav and Venkatpathy Raju and top officials of Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) were present.

Sunrisers has retained 20 players of Deccan Chargers: Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Cameron White, Dale Steyn, Chris Lynn, Jean-Paul Duminy, Juan Theron, Abhishek Jhunjunwala, Akash Bhandari, Akshath Reddy, Amit Mishra, Anand Rajan, Ankit Sharma, Bharat Chipli, Biplab Samantray, Shikhar Dhawan, Veer Pratap Singh, Parthiv Patel, Ashish Reddy, DB Ravi Teja and Ishant Sharma.

Srikkanth said the team may bid for more players when the leftover players are auctioned in January. "We may also pick up some talented Pakistani players if they are available," he said adding that the team needs a few all-rounders.

The former Indian captain said the new assignment would be a challenge for him. He hoped that the team led by Sangakkara would play well and come up with right kind of strategies to bag the title.

Srikkanth, who was earlier associated with Chennai Super Kings, said the Sunrisers would play with positive energy as it has among its ranks quality players like Sangakkara, Steyn and White.

Replying to a query, he pointed out that Sun network has a wide following in the entire south, including Hyderabad, and this would help in creating a home fan base.Tom Moody said he was relishing the challenge of coaching the new IPL team.

He hoped that with the support of Srikkanth and Laxman, he would be able to come out with a winning combination in the 2013 season. Shanmugam said the Sunrisers would operate both from Chennai and Hyderabad.

He declined to share details like budget to bid for new players and the team sponsors. He, however, said Sunrisers would have no liabilities from the previous IPL franchise.

Deccan Chargers, winners of IPL 2009, were terminated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after the franchise defaulted in payments to both BCCI and the players.

The Sun Network won the bid for the Hyderabad franchise for Rs.85.05 crore per year for the next five years, making it the second most expensive IPL team after Pune Warriors (Rs.702 crore for seven years).

Ireland to host Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier

Irish cricket has received another tremendous boost with the news that it has been appointed by the International Cricket Council to host the ICC Women's World Twenty20 Global Qualifier next year.

The tournament, due to be held in July/August 2013, will see eight teams battle it out for the final spot in the ICC Women's World Twenty20 2014 scheduled to be held in Bangladesh. The global event, in April 2014, has seven teams already qualified, namely, current champions Australia plus England, New Zealand, West Indies, India, South Africa and hosts Bangladesh.For the Qualifier, hosts Ireland will be joined by Pakistan and Sri Lanka, both of whom played in the recently completed ICC Women's World Twenty20 2012 earlier this year in Sri Lanka

.

Other countries taking part include Canada, Japan and The Netherlands, who lost to Ireland in the European qualifying tournament earlier this season.

The final two places in the summer tournament will be taken by qualifiers from the Africa and Asia regions.

Cricket Ireland Chief Executive Warren Deutrom welcomed the announcement saying: "It's fantastic news for Irish cricket and a tremendous boost for the promotion of the women's game throughout the country. Ireland has proved itself to be a great venue for hosting global tournaments, having staged the 2005 ICC Trophy, the 2008 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers and the 2010 ICC Under 19 Global Qualifiers very successfully. We're delighted that ICC has awarded us this competition and I'm certain it will be a wonderful occasion."

ICC Global Development Manager Tim Anderson said: "The ICC is pleased to announce Ireland as the host of the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier in 2013. The ongoing improvement of Women’s cricket is an important strategic objective of the ICC, and with Ireland’s track record of hosting ICC events, we are confident this important qualifying competition will be played in very good conditions, with excellent hospitality.”

Irish women's captain Isobel Joyce was excited about the chance to qualify for a global tournament on home soil saying: "This gives everyone involved in Irish women's cricket a great lift and it's a great incentive for the players to have the chance to make it to the final stages of a global event. We're already training hard for the event and while it's obviously a big advantage to be playing in our conditions, we know it'll be very difficult against teams of the quality of Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Having said that, we've a fantastic balance in the squad now of youth and experience and there's no reason why we can't grab the last slot on offer."

Further details regarding the format and dates of the tournament will be released by ICC in due course.

PSPS Pekanbaru Selects Rohit Chand For Indonesian Premier League , Chand to get USD 3500/Month

Nepal International Rohit Chand has been recruited by PSPS Pekanbaru for Indonesian Premier League 2013. According to Goal Nepal Rohit Chand will sign a contract either on Tuesday or Wednesday

Rohit Chand

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"The Club was impressed with Rohit during the trial session", the source added. Rohit Chand will get lucrative USD 3500 per month for 10 months.
Chand will also get USD 100 if the team wins the weekend match. However, the official statement about signing is yet to come from PSPS Pekanbaru and the agent associated with Rohit Chand.

Armed Police Force are one day Cricket National champion!!

Departmental side Armed Police Force(APF) defended the title of the Pepsi Standard Chartered National One Day Cricket Tournament as it defeated Region Number 4 Bhairahwa by six wickets today at Tribhuwan University Ground, Kirtipur.
          Winning the toss, APF invited Bhairahawa to bat first. With a brilliant century from Fajlur Rahman Khan, Bhairahawa put up the total of 221 runs. Khan hit 124 off 155 balls with twelve fours and four sixes, the highest ever in the national tournament finals. Subash Pradhan 28, Lal Bahadur Adhikari 14, Antim Thapa 13, Sagar Pun 12 and Krishna Karki 11 were some of the players to score a double digit figure. Sharad Vesawkar claimed three wickets for APF while Amrit Bhattarai, Sunam Gautam, Basant Regmi, Shakti Gauchan and Sanjam Regmi took a wicket each.

APF Cricket Team 

          In reply, APF made a firing start with the first wicket partnership of 60 runs just in 8 overs. Paresh Lohani was the first to be dismissed with 25 runs. Khakurel entering as opening batsman scored 60 runs off 73 balls with seven fours and a six before being caught off Moinuddin Khan. Gyanendra Malla scored 23 off 22 balls. It was Paras Khadka and Sharad Vesawkar finishing with win for APF, Khadka hit 86 off 57 deliveries with ten fours and three sixes while Vesawkar scored 29 off 26 with two fours and a six. Both remained unbeaten. Sushan Bhari took two wickets while Moinuddin Khan and Bibek Chaudhary claimed a wicket each for Bhairahawa.
     Fajlur Rahman Khan was adjudged the player of the match. Khan was also announced as the emerging player of the tournament.
    APF last year had won the finals beating another departmental side Nepal Police Club. Winner APF won a prize of Rs 1,50,000 along with the trophy while runner-up Bhairahawa bagged away Rs 1,00,000.
    Sagar Pun from Bhairahawa received Rs 20,000 being adjudged the player of the-series. Pun had scored 275 runs in the six matches and also claimed six wickets in the tournament.
Amit Shrestha of Birgunj who scored 248 runs from three matches was awarded as the best batsman of the tournament and received Rs. 15,000. While, APF´s Basant Regmi was adjudged the best bowler of the tournament. Regmi took 12 wickets from four matches and received Rs 15,000.

Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar retires from ODIs

Sachin Tendulkar has retired from ODI cricket. Tendulkar finishes an illustrious career in the 50-over format, having played 463 ODIs, scored 18,426 runs and made 49 centuries, each of them a world record. His last ODI was against Pakistan in Dhaka during the Asia Cup, where he made a half-century in India's victory.

"I have decided to retire from the One Day format of the game," he said in a statement. "I feel blessed to have fulfilled the dream of being part of a World Cup winning Indian team. The preparatory process to defend the World Cup in 2015 should begin early and in right earnest. I would like to wish the team all the very best for the future. I am eternally grateful to all my well wishers for their unconditional support and love over the years."

Tendulkar made his ODI debut on his first international tour, in 1989, against Pakistan in Gujranwala, where he got a duck. He scored his first half-century in his ninth ODI and made an immediate impact when promoted to open the batting in 1994, in an ODI against New Zealand in Auckland, where he smashed 82 in 49 balls. His first century took 79 ODIs to arrive but he kept piling them on with remarkable consistency. (Click here to see Tendulkar's cumulative ODI record.)
Some of the batting highlights in his ODI career include back-to-back hundreds against Australia in 1998 in a triangular tournament in Sharjah, finishing as the highest run-getter in the 2003 World Cup in South Africa, and becoming the first batsman to score a double-century in the ODI format, against South Africa in February 2010.

He was part of one of India's greatest ODI achievements over the last three decades, when they won the World Cup in 2011, beating Sri Lanka in the final on his home ground in Mumbai - it was his last ODI in India. In preparation for that World Cup, Tendulkar had curtailed the amount of ODI cricket in the year playing only four ODIs in the 12 months before the tournament. Since the end of the World Cup, Tendulkar has played 10 ODIs, seven in the CB Series against Australia and the last three of his career being played at the Asia Cup in Dhaka. His innings of 114 against Bangladesh on March 16 was his 100th international hundred in what turned out to be Tendulkar's penultimate ODI match for India.

Tendulkar's announcement of his ODI retirement came through a statement from the BCCI which stated that he had spoken to BCCI president N Srinivasan. His retirement was announced on the day the Indian selectors picked the teams to play in the five-match T20 and ODI series against Pakistan.

"It was not sudden. He informed us before the selection about his decision," Sanjay Jagdale, the BCCI secretary, told reporters. "He spoke to me and the president about his decision. Naturally he must have been (emotional) I can't say we just spoke on the phone."

"What he has expressed is his concern that India has to prepare for the next World Cup," the BCCI's chief administrative officer Ratnakar Shetty added. "From that point of view, he felt that it was time that he retired."(Espn)

FIFA Ranking: Nepal Drops Two Position Down To 171

Nepal have been dropped two position down in FIFA World Ranking for the month of December.
FIFA released the ranking on Wednesday in which Nepal collected mere 83 points to remain in 171 position. Maldives are still the king of South Asia with their position at 159th. 

India are 166th position, which is three position up than the previous month.
Bangladesh have moved three steps up to 168th position.

Pakistan have dropped nine position down to 189. Sri Lanka are in 190th position. Bhutan are in 207th position.
Spain are on the top of ranking while Argentina are placed in 2nd and Italy are in 3rd position respectively.

Lionel Messi extends contract at Barcelona

Barcelona's star Argentinian striker Lionel Messi has pledged to stay with the Spanish giants until June 2018 by renewing his contract, the club said Tuesday.Currently leading the league by a huge nine points, Barcelona also said that they had agreed contract renewals with Spain internationals and longtime club stalwarts Carles Puyol and Xavi Hernandez.A statement from the club said that an agreement had been agreed with Messi, 25, whose current contract expires in 2016, and that he would sign his new deal "in the coming weeks".

Lionel Messi

Veteran defender and captain Puyol, 34, and midfielder Xavi, 32 - one of the heroes of Spain's Euro victory this year - have each signed up to stay until 2016. Puyol's current contract expires next year and Xavi's in 2014.

"This news means that FC Barcelona has secured its ties with three of its most important players," the club said in its statement.

Barcelona are 13 points clear of their fierce rivals, title holders Real Madrid, at the top of the Spanish league, and nine points ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid, whom they beat 4-1 last weekend.The Catalan giants are unbeaten in the league this season with 15 wins and one draw.

"It is very satisfying for the board to extend a successful project by renewing Xavi, Puyol and Messi," a spokesman for the club's management Toni Freixa told a news conference.

"They are three basic pillars of the best Barcelona team in history. It was very necessary to keep our main elements tied to the club."

Puyol - who like Messi and Xavi is a graduate of Barca's cherished youth training academy - has soldiered on despite injuries that have forced him to spend weeks on the bench this year.He missed taking part in Spain's Euro 2012 victory for treatment to his right knee and later fractured his cheekbone at the start of this league season.

Messi - who has been at the club since 2004 - is the top scorer in the league with 25 goals so far this season, ahead of Atletico's Radamel Falcao who has 17 and Real's Cristiano Ronaldo on 14.

The Argentine recently broke Gerd Mueller's 40-year record for the most goals in a calendar year.

Mueller scored 85 in 1972 and Messi has scored 90 so far this year, though there are claims that Godfrey Chitalu of Zambia and Zico of Brazil netted more.

Messi is also Barca's highest ever scorer, having broken Cesar Rodriquez's record from the 1950s.

The Argentinian is in the running for a fourth Ballon D'Or, world player-of-the-year award this year, alongside his Barcelona team mate Andres Iniesta and his La Liga rival Ronaldo. The winner will be announced on January 7.

If Messi carries it off, he will be the only player to win four Ballon D'Ors, exceeding the triples of Barcelona's Dutch hero Johann Cruyff, France's Michel Platini and another Dutchman, Marco Van Basten.

21st IGP Running Trophy 2012:Sainik Awasiya Mahavidhyalaya won 21st IGP Running Trophy

Sainik Awasiya Mahavidhyalaya, Bhaktapur defeated the Sidhharta Vanasthali institute by 1-0 in the Final of 21st IGP running Trophy played at the Nepal police school Ground , sanga Kavre. In the another match played on Tuesday Nepal police school A team defeated Malpi School to secure the third position. 

Sainik Awasiya Mahavidhyalaya Team with Trophy

Abhisek Lopchan Tamang scored the match winning goal in a highly contested match played at Nepal Police School ground, Sanga, Kavre.

Nepal Police School defeated Malpi International School 2-0 to claim third place. Anil Thapa and Ashish Maharjan scored apiece for the winning side.

Nepal Police IGP Kuber singh Rana distributed the prizes to the winners.

The winning team received Rs 20,000 and a goat sponsored by social worker Rajendra Joshi.

The runners up team got rs 10,000 and a goat. The third placed team received Rs 5,000.

Mandip Rokka was declared the highest goal scorer of the tournament. Ashish Sainju of Nepal Police was adjudged the best goalkeeper. Malpi School received a fair play trophy.

13 school from Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts took part in the championship.

AFC U-14 Championship : AFC U-14 Championship Group C Qualifiers to Kick Off From May 4

ANFA have finalized the date for group C qualifiers of inaugural AFC U-14 Championship on Tuesday. The qualifiers will be played in Kathmandu from May 4 to 15. 

Nepal have been grouped with Bhutan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Maldives and Afghanistan in Group C.
The 46 teams were divided into four zones. The participating teams were drawn into eight groups with the West, Central and South as well as ASEAN regions each having two groups of six teams each, while the East region has two groups of five teams each.

The top two teams from each zone, totalling eight teams, will qualify to the AFC U-14 Championship 2014 Finals.
Myanmar and China will host the ASEAN and East regions respectively while Oman, Saudi Arabia, Nepal and Iran will be the venue of their respective groups.

The West zone's Group A will have its qualifying matches from February 3 to 15, while the qualifying campaign for Group B will take place from February 26 to March 10. The dates for the other regions' qualifiers will be determined later.

Group A: Oman, Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, UAE
Group B: Saudi arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Palestine, Yemen
Group C: Nepal Bhutan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Maldives & Afghanistan
Group D: Iran, Pakistan, India, Turkmenistan, Sri Lanka, Kyrgyzstan
Group E: Myanmar, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines, Timor Leste
Group F: Thailand, Laos, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Singapore, Cambodia
Group G: China Northern Marians, Korea Republic, Chinese Taipei, Guam
Group H: Mongolia, Hong Kong, DPR Korea, Macau, Japan

ANFA To Sign Record Sponsorship Deal With American Sports Company +One

All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) is signing a record deal with American Sports Wear Company, + One on February. The sponsorship deal will be worth USD 4,50,000 for a year for six years (Approx: 22 Crore 95 Lakhs approx @ exchange of 85). ANFA said that the official signing will be held on February.

"We are going to sign a record deal for six years", ANFA President Ganesh Thapa said, "Now the National team (s) will wear + One kit from this new year". 

"The company will provide complete kit to the players and the company will fine ANFA if the players are found wearing kits of other brands during the training period and the championships". Adidas will not be the official sponsor now after mutal understanding between both parties.

The president Thapa also said that the + One company would bear 60% of two foreign coaches' salary out of the contract.

"The company will cover 60% of the coaches' salary", Thapa added, "And we will cover rest 40%". "If this doesn't work out, we will bring the coaches in our own expenses", added Thapa.

ANFA is hiring two foreign coaches for senior men's side and it's youth academy on January.

ANFA Says America Based Polish Coach Will Arrive Nepal By January 10

All Nepal Football Association has confirmed that the new foreign coaches will arrive Nepal by January 10. ANFA revealed that they were hiring two foreign coaches; one for senior men's team and another for Youth Academy. 
Krishna Thapa had taken the helm of National team after most loved Graham Roberts left the team last year in March. 

"The new coaches will arrive Nepal by January 10", ANFA Prez Ganesh Thapa told . It is learned that the new coach for Nepal is America based Polish. The initial contract with the coaches will be for a year.

+ One sports Company, based in USA, which has signed a record deal with ANFA, has coordinated with FA to bring coaches in Nepal. ANFA president Ganesh Thapa said that the company will also give incentives to the coach if they produce good results with Nepal.  "+ One has agreed to provide USD 10,000 as incentive to the head coach if Nepal National Team will lift the title of SAFF Championship 2013", Prez Thapa added, "The company will provide USD 8,000 to the coach if Nepal national team qualifies for AFC Challenge Cup".

AFC Challenge Cup 2014 : Nepal To Play Three International friendlies Ahead Of AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers

ANFA has lined up aggressive programs to prepare for forthcoming AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers.
ANFA said that Nepal would play three international friendlies ahead of the Qualifiers.

ANFA President Ganesh Thapa told that the football governing body in Nepal had decided to play three friendly matches to prepare well for the qualifiers.

"We have decided to play three friendly matches after Pakistan series for AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers", Thapa added, "It has not been decided whether it will be played in Nepal or abroad".

An AFC Challenge Cup qualifier is scheduled in the first week of March. Nepal is hosting Group D qualifiers that will start from March 2-6 in Kathmandu.

Nepal have been grouped with Palestine, Bangladesh and Northern Mariana Island.

Nepal is also playing a friendly series with Pakistan on February 6 and February 9.Stay with Yours favourite sport portal of Nepal anantasports for more update.

AFC Challenge Cup 2014 Qualifiers: Nepal to Play Friendly Series with Pakistan

Nepal is playing a two-match friendly series with Pakistan at Dasrath Stadium, Kathmandu. ANFA President Ganesh Thapa revealed that Nepal would play two friendly matches against Pakistan on February 6 and February 9 in Kathmandu. 

"We have accepted an invitation from Pakistan FA to play two friendly matches in Kathmandu", Prez Thapa told

Nepal and Pakistan will take friendly series as tune up forthcoming AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers, scheduled in the first week of March. Nepal is hosting Group D qualifiers that will start from March 2-6 in Kathmandu. Stay with us for more update on AFC Challenge Cup 2014.

ACC Women’s Championship: CAN announce 25 members preliminary squad

Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has chosen 25 female cricketers to be in the closed camp for ACC Women’s Championship to be held in Thailand from January 21-31. 

The players selected are Rubina Chherti Belbase, Karuna Bhandari, Indu Verma, Nary Thapa, Mamata Devi Chaudhary, Sangita Gauchan, Gita Chudal, Rekha Rawal, Krishna Singh, Sarita Magar, Shilu Rijal, Mamata Thapa, Roshani Bohora, Shova Ale, Nira Rajopadhaya, Rasmi Sharma Chaulagain, Sonu Khakada, Sita Ranamagar, Madhu Thapa , Aarati Bhandari, Achali Chand, Kabita Gautam, Manisha Rawal, Janaki Bhatta and Saraswati Chaudhary.

The training camp is set to start from today.

Nepal is placed in Group A along with Hong Kong,Malaysia,Bhutan,UAE & Afghanistan.

 The details Schedule and Grouping is Given Below.

Venue	:	Chiang Mai Gymkhana, Royal Chiang Mai Golf Club, Prem Oval; Chiang Mai, Thailand
Dates	:	23rd -31st January 2013

GROUP A		GROUP B
Hong Kong		China
Nepal		Thailand
Malaysia		Singapore
Bhutan		Kuwait
UAE		Iran
Afghanistan		Qatar

Winner progresses to Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier in Ireland (August 2013)

Schedule:
Games start at 9.30 AM and 1.30 PM (0230hrs and 0530hrs GMT)
Wed 23 Jan	Bhutan v Malaysia at Prem Kuwait v Singapore at Prem Afghanistan v Nepal at RCGC Thailand v Qatar at RCGC Hong Kong v UAE at Gymkhana China v Iran at Gymkhana
Thu 24 Jan	Hong Kong v Malaysia at Prem China v Singapore at Prem Bhutan v Nepal at RCGC Thailand v Kuwait at RCGC Afghanistan v UAE at Gymkhana Iran v Qatar at Gymkhana
Fri 25 Jan	Bhutan v Hong Kong at Prem China v Kuwait at Prem Nepal v UAE at RCGC Thailand v Iran at RCGC Afghanistan v Malaysia at Gymkhana Qatar v Singapore at Gymkhana
Sun 27 Jan	Afghanistan v Hong Kong at Prem China v Qatar at Prem Malaysia v Nepal at RCGC Thailand v Singapore at RCGC Bhutan v UAE at Gymkhana Iran v Kuwait at Gymkhana
Mon 28 Jan	Hong Kong v Nepal at Prem Thailand v China at Prem Malaysia v UAE at RCGC Iran v Singapore at RCGC Afghanistan v Bhutan at Gymkhana Kuwait v Qatar at Gymkhana
Wed 30 Jan	SF1: A1 v B2 at Prem SF2: A2 v B1 at Prem 5th/6th Playoff: A3 v B3 at Gymkhana 7th/8th Playoff: A4 v B4 at RCGC 9th/10th Playoff: A5 v B5 at RCGC 11th/12th Playoff: A6 v B6 at Gymkhana
Thu 31 Jan	FINAL: Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 3rd/4th Playoff: Loser SF1 v Loser SF2

Nepal stays No.1 in ACC Rankings!!!

Nepali Cricket Team has been ranked first for the second consecutive cycle, following their triumph in ACC Trophy Elite 2012 and runners-up placings in ACC U-19 Elite 2011 and ACC U-16 Elite 2012.

After the conclusion of the last tournament in the biennial ranking cycle of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), the ACC Trophy Challenge, it has been possible to establish the final overall rankings for 2011 and 2012.

Malaysia and Afghanistan move up a place to second and third.

The rankings are used to determine supplementary ACC funding for the countries concerned, under the categories of Coach Assistance Equipment, School Cricket, Women’s Cricket and Governance. Out of a fund amounting to close to $1.5 million, the countries at the top of the ACC rankings receive about 40% more than the those at the bottom.

The rankings for 2011 – 2012 will stay in place until December 2014

ACC Trophy Elite 2012	ACC U-19 Elite 2011	ACC U-16 Elite 2012	FINAL COMBINED
Ranking/Points	Ranking/Points	Ranking/Points	Ranking/Points
1. Nepal	1. Afghanistan	1. Malaysia	1. Nepal (5 points)
1. UAE	2. Nepal	2. Nepal	2. Malaysia (12 points)
3. Afghanistan	3. Qatar	3. Oman	3. Afghanistan (15 points)
4. Malaysia	4. Hong Kong	4. Singapore	4. Hong Kong (16 points)
5. Hong Kong	5. UAE	5. Thailand	5. UAE (18 points)
6. Oman	6. Bahrain	6. Bahrain	6. Oman (19 points)
7. Kuwait	7. Malaysia	7. Hong Kong	7=. Bahrain (24 points)
8. Maldives	8. Thailand	8. Iran	7=. Singapore (24 points)
9. Saudi Arabia	9. Singapore	9. Kuwait	9. Thailand (27 points)
10. Bhutan	10. Oman	18. Saudi Arabia*	10. Kuwait (28 points)
			11. Qatar (29 points)
ACC Trophy Challenge 2012	ACC U-19 Challenge 2011	ACC U-16 Challenge 2012	12=. Bhutan (38 points)
Ranking/Points	Ranking/Points	Ranking/Points	12=. Iran (38 points)
11. Singapore	11. Saudi Arabia	11. Afghanistan	12=. Saudi Arabia (38 points)
12. Bahrain	12. Kuwait	12. UAE	15. Maldives (40 points)
13. Qatar	13. Bhutan	13. Qatar	16. China (44 points)
14. Thailand	14. China	14. China	17=. Brunei (53 points)
15. Iran	15. Iran	15. Bhutan	17=. Myanmar (53 points)
16. China	16. Maldives	16. Maldives
17. Myanmar	17. Brunei	18. Myanmar*
18. Brunei*	18. Myanmar	18. Brunei*