Sports

Durga Budha claimed Karnali Province's first gold at the ninth National Games, winning the 3,000m steeplechase on Monday. 

The runner, who hails from Jumla, completed the race in 8 minutes 55.19 seconds – a new national record, shedding more than 2 seconds off the previous best set by Rajendra Bhandari. 

Bhandari that 8 minutes 57.30 seconds at the 2004 South Asian Games in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Ajit Yadav of the Armed Police Force (APF) won silver with a time of 9 minutes 21.10 seconds, and Subas Karki of Tribhuvan Army Club took bronze with 9 minutes 22.15 seconds.

However, Budha stared at defeat even before he stepped on the track. Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, Nepal Army and Gandaki Province lodged protests, demanding that Budha be barred from participating in these Games. They claimed Budha, an Indian Army employee, had represented India at national and international events while staying away from competitions in Nepal.

The steeplechase event was delayed for an hour due to the protests. However, Budha had the last laugh as the Games Technical Sub-committee dropped the protests, saying there was no basis to deny him participation in these Games. 
Budha had won a gold and two silver medals for Karnali at the eighth National Games held Nepalgunj.