The men’s team of Tribhuvan Army Club registered double victory in the curtain raiser of the Turkish Airlines Engage Empowering League (EEL) Wheelchair Basketball Championships at The British School court in Jhamshikhel on Saturday.

The Army team defeated Jawalakhel Wheelchair Sports Club (JWSC) 41-31 before thumping Chitwan 44-6 in the last match of the day. Raju Katuwal was the major contributor in Army’s win in both the matches. Raju contributed 24 points against JWSC and 26 against Chitwan. Despite losing the first match, JWSC bounced back in their second game of the day with a 32-2 drubbing of Nepalgunj Wheelchair Basketball Team. Dan Bahadur netted highest 14 points for the winners.

Visiting Pokhara Wheelchair Basketball Team also registered twin wins in the opening day after beating Nepal Spinal Cord Injury Sports Association (NSCISA) and Wheelchair Sports Association.

Pokhara saw off NSCISA 14-8 riding on four points from Bal Bahadur Rokka Magar. Bharat Baniya starred in their second match scoring 14 points against Wheelchair Sports Association (WSA) in their 24-16 victory. Bodhisatwas In Action (BIA) blanked Chitwan Wheelchair Basketball Team 28-2 on a back of 12 points from Bishnu Shrestha. Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Centre (SIRC) also made flying start inflicting Nepalgunj their second defeat. Prakash Pariyar contributed six points in their 20-2 win.

The women’s event saw Women Wheelchair Basketball Association (WWBA) register double victory. WWBA edged Wheelchair Sports Association (WSA) 12-4 and NSCISA 12-0. Tulsa Thapa Magar netted four points against WSA and Babita Thapa contributed 12 against NSCISA. In another women’s section match, BIA pulled off a comfortable 16-4 victory over JWSC. Rolami Rai contributed six points for the winning team.    

The event organised by Engage, a non-profit organisation promoting social inclusion in Nepal, features nine teams in men’s and five teams in women’s category. The top four teams after the round robin league will vie in the playoffs. Besides The British School, the matches will also be played at the National Sports Council covered hall, Chhauni and St Xavier’s College.