Police Club, Khaira, and Sabhapokhari Reach Madan Bhandari Cup Semis

Nepal Police Club, India's Khaira Volleyball Club Punjab, and Sabhapokhari Volleyball Club have booked their places in the semi-finals of the second Madan Bhandari Cup International Invitational Men's Volleyball Tournament in Butwal.

According to reporting by Onlinekhabar, Nepal Police Club secured the top spot in Group A after defeating Manimukunda Volleyball Club 3-2 in a five-set encounter at the Butwal International Convention Centre. The departmental side won 25-20, 23-25, 25-20, 18-25, and 15-12 to complete the group stage with three consecutive victories.

Khaira Volleyball Club from Punjab qualified for the semi-finals as Group A runners-up after overcoming Sri Lanka Police Club 3-1 with set scores of 25-20, 25-20, 19-25, and 25-17, Onlinekhabar reported. The result knocked both Sri Lanka Police and Manimukunda out of the competition.

In Group B, Sabhapokhari Volleyball Club advanced to the knockout stage after registering their second straight victory, beating departmental powerhouse Nepal APF Club 3-1. Gorkhapatra previously reported that Sabhapokhari, fielding a lineup dominated by Indian players, had earlier swept India's Gujarat Sporting Club in straight sets.

The identity of the fourth semi-finalist was delayed after Thursday's final Group B match between Nepal APF Club and Gujarat Sporting Club was suspended. Onlinekhabar reported that the fixture was halted by mutual consent due to poor visibility and a lack of floodlights with the teams tied at one set apiece. The remaining sets were rescheduled to be completed ahead of the semi-finals.

Organised by the Madan Bhandari Sports Academy, the tournament was inaugurated earlier in the week by former president Bidya Devi Bhandari, Neplays reported ahead of the opening matches. While organisers initially scheduled an eight-team competition featuring squads from Nepal, India, and Sri Lanka, Onlinekhabar reported that the field was reduced to seven after Galkot Volleyball Club was disqualified for failing to arrive on time.

According to tournament details published by Gorkhapatra, the champion will take home a running shield along with Rs 700,000, while the runner-up will receive Rs 350,000. Third place carries a purse of Rs 175,000, and a consolation award of Rs 75,000 will also be handed out alongside trophies and certificates. Academy president Dhruva Acharya stated that individual accolades, including best spiker, setter, server, blocker, defender, and coach, carry cash prizes of Rs 8,000 each, while the tournament's most valuable player will receive Rs 15,000.