Sports

Chandra Thapa scored 18 goals to power Gandaki Province into the men's handball final under the ninth National Games on Friday.

Gandaki, who beat Lumbini 54-21 in the semi-finals, now take on the challenge of Tribhuvan Army on Saturday for the title.

In the other semi-final match on Friday, Army defeated Armed Police Force (APF) 27-22. Despite Sandip Karki’s heroics, scoring seven goals, APF came short against the Army. APF meet Lumbini in a play-off for the bronze medal on Saturday.

The women's handball title will go to a departmental side, with Army and APF playing in the final.

In the first semi-final held at the Pokhara Stadium covered hall, APF defeated Province 1 by 29-6.  APF's Uma Rai was the highest scorer in the match, with 7 goals. 

In the other semi-final, Tribhuvan Army Club beat home team Gandaki 24-9 to join APF in the final. Army's Kalpana Oli top scored with seven goals in the match.

The Army and APF play in the summit clash at 2pm on Saturday. Before that, Gandaki and Province 1 meet in a play-off for third position at 10am.