Budhanilkantha and Training Ground Begin With Victories in Fifth Nakhipot Open Basketball Tournament

The fifth Nakhipot Open Basketball Tournament has commenced in Lalitpur, officially inaugurated by Amritjung Mahat, chairman of Ward 14, Lalitpur Metropolitan City. In the inaugural women’s matches, Budhanilkantha and Training Ground secured winning starts. The tournament will continue until June 13 (Jeth 30), featuring 19 men’s teams and 6 women’s teams. (Kathmandu, June 7)

Budhanilkantha dominated their match against IS Nepal with a commanding 65–12 victory in the women’s category. Preeti Tulachan contributed 14 points to Budhanilkantha’s successful campaign. Leading throughout all four quarters, Budhanilkantha posted quarter scores of 21–5, 11–7, 12–2, and 21–4 respectively. Similarly, Training Ground secured a strong start against Ballers, winning 73–41 after taking a 14–7 lead in the first quarter.

The opening ceremony highlighted the participation of 19 men’s teams and 6 women’s teams, including two teams from outside the Kathmandu Valley. The men’s competition will follow a knockout format, while the women’s matches will proceed as a league cum knockout format. Last year’s titles were claimed by Nepal Army and Mountain Movers. The men’s champions will receive NPR 100,000 in cash prizes, with the runners-up awarded NPR 50,000. In the women’s category, the winners will be awarded NPR 50,000 and the second-placed team will receive NPR 25,000 in cash prizes.