Prince Dahal of Kathmandu and Bishnu Katuwal of Nepal Police Club (NPC) made winning starts to the International Invitational Open Badminton Championships in Salakpur, Morgan, on Monday.

Dahal, the double gold medallist of the recently concluded President Cup Junior International badminton championship held in Biratnagar, saw off Muna Hang Rai of Durgadevi Dulal Sundar Haraicha Sports Gram (DDSHSG) 21-4, 21-4 while Katuwal saw off Ajay Chaudhary of Budha Subba Badminton Academy (BBA) 21-13, 21-131. 

In other matches, Suman Limbu of Nepal APF Club edged past Gopal Subba of Jhumka 21-8, 21-11, Rukesh Maharjan of Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) overcome Nabin Silwal of Birtamode 25-23, 21-10 and Priyanshu Singh Chhetri of Zest Badminton Academy edged past Jaydip Shah of West Bengal 21-19, 21-17.  

Pabin Lingthep of TAC enjoyed walkover from Sandesh Jabegu of Panchthar while Sunil Joshi of APF edged past Sampras Limbu of Bhadrapur21-3, 21-11, Gautam Kathayet of PAF beat Anish Khatiwada of Zest 21-10, 21-10 and Diwas Shankar of Army edged past Narendra Bam of Surkhet 21-10, 18-21, 21-13.

In other matches, Jivan Acharya of NPC registered a comfortable 21-5, 21-7 win over Bibek Kandangwa of Birtamode, Priyanshu Singh of West Bengal edged past Dabal Bahadur Gurung of Kothari 21-15, 13-21, 21-16, Praful Maharjan of TAC saw off Kshitij KC of Terahtum 21-9, 21-14, Pranish Singh Thakuri of BBC dispatched Bhoj Bahadur Gurung of Itahari 21-11, 21-10, and Bejeet Thapa Magar of APF saw off Dipen Rai of Morang 21-6, 21-6 to enter the second round. The tournament features events in four categories.