Ratnajit Tamang of Tribhuvan Army Club and Dipesh Dhami of Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club stormed into men’s singles pre-quarterfinals of the National Badminton Championships held under the National Sports Council Championships in Mahendranagar on Wednesday.

Taman ousted Dipesh Shakya of Central Region 21-7, 21-8 to set the last 16 date with Nir Bikram Devkota. Devkota beat Shahroj Ansari of Midwest 21-7, 21-8. Dhami saw off Devraj Rama of Farwest 21-10, 21-10 and will next play Rukesh Maharjan of Army, who dispatched Bilal Waris of Midwest. Pabin Lenthap of Army beat Bhugol Gurung of Western 21-17, 9-21, 23-21 while Sajan Krishna Tamrakar of APF saw off Irfan Ansari of Mid-west 21-9, 21-11.

The other players to join them in men’s singles pre-quarterfinals were Prince Dahal, Dipak Bohara, Praful Maharjan, Nabin Shrestha, Bejeet Thapa, Jeevan Acharya and Gautam Kathayat. Former Nepal no 1 Bikash Shrestha of Eastern Region enjoyed walkover win.

In the women’ singles, Nangsal Devi Tamang of Army defeated Tara Ale of Central Region 21-3, 21-3 to set quarter-final date with Sunania Mukhiya of Eastern Region. Mukhiya overcame Sima Rajbanshi. Anumaya Rai, Shova Gauchan, Nita Lamshal, Shikshya Shrestha, Jessica Gurung and Amita Giri also made it to the last eight in the women’s category.

Army, Police win in football

Departmental teams Tribhuvan Army Club and Nepal Police Club advanced to the semi-finals of the National Men’s Football Tournament in Dang on Wednesday.

Army beat Eastern Region 2-0 in Ghorahi and Police eased past Western Region 4-0 in Tulsipur. Bivek Basnet put Army ahead in the 17th and Deep Lama ensured the win two minutes from time against Eastern. Suman Lama struck twice for Police. Nir Kumar Rai gave 28th minute lead to the Police team and Lama made it 2-0 three minutes later.

Bhola Silwal added the third in the 43rd and Lama completed the rout of Western Region with the fourth goal in the 67th minute.

Police will take on Nepal Armed Police Force Club and Army will meet Farwest in the semi-finals on Thursday.