*Nepal Army Club men’s, Gorkhali Rugby Club women’s teams crowned Nepal Club 7s national champs
Nepal’s inaugural National Rugby Inter-club Men’s and Women’s Tournament concluded after tightly contested finals at the National Stadium in Kathmandu, with Nepal Army Club men’s and Gorkhali Rugby Club women’s teams emerging national champions.
In a significant step towards establishing Nepal’s national men’s and women’s rugby 7s squads, six men’s and five women’s club teams contested the tournament, which ended on a thrilling note on the National Stadium pitch.
Both finals were tightly contested, with scorelines remaining very close through to the final whistles.
In the women’s final, Gorkhali Rugby Club beat the Kathmandu Women’s Rugby Club 20 -17; whereas in the men’s final, the Nepal Army Club defeated Gorkhali Rugby Club by a single score, 5-0.
Despite ending up on losing sides in both finals, outstanding performances saw Kathmandu Rugby Club’s Manisha Thapa Magar earning the women’s and Nabin Giri the men’s player of the tournament awards.
Nepal Rugby Association President Tanka Lal Ghising inaugurated the tournament, and Mr. Lama Tendi Sherpa, General Secretary of the Nepal Olympic Committee and Vice President of the National Sports Council, presided over the prize distribution ceremony. A number of other heads of Nepal’s sports associations enjoyed the tournament, and graced the closing ceremony with their presence.
This inaugural tournament will help the national teams’ selection committee in now finalising the Nepal men’s and women’s 7s teams, which are due to participate in the upcoming Asia Rugby Development 7s scheduled for early next year. in Bangkok, Thailand.
Result of Men’s 7s
First – Nepal Army Club
Second – Gorkhali Rugby Club
Third – Aakash Bhairab Rugby Club
Result of Women’s 7s
First – Gorkhali Rugby Club
Second – Kathmandu Rugby Club
Third – Women Rugby Club Nepal
