RUPANDEHI: First national men’s doubles and veteran badminton tournament is starting at Sainamaina of Rupandehi district from Saturday.

Chief Coach of national sports council, Badminton Association, Sudeep Yonjan, Umpires Sudeep Shakya and Udaya Aryal have already arrived at Sainamaina.

Speaking at a press conference organized at Murgiya of Sainamaina municipality this morning, Chairman of Sainamaina Badminton Club Nanda Bahadur Thapa informed that the players from Nepal Army and Nepal Police have already registered their names.

The tournament will be held at the covered hall constructed at the cost of Rs 13.1 million by the club.

As many as 60 teams from various districts including Kathmandu, Kaski, Chitwan, Makwanpur, Syangja and Kaski will be competing in the mega tournament, said Dharma Neupane, the coordinator of the badminton tournament.

The winner of the tournament will receive a cash prize of Rs 51,000, first runner up Rs 35,000 and the second runner up Rs 20,000 along with trophies and certificates under the national open men’s doubles.

Similarly, under the veterans’ category, the winner will receive Rs 30,000, first runner up Rs 20,000 and second runner up Rs 15,000 as a cash prize along with trophies and certificates.