Five different corporate houses have signed sponsorship agreement for Bir Ganeshman Singh National Boxing Championships to be organised by Ganeshman Singh Foundation from February 5 to 9 at Basantapur, Kathmandu.

The representatives of corporate houses and the championships coordinator Rajiv Shrestha, also the former president of Nepal Boxing Association signed the Memorandum (MoU) here on Sunday. Jagadamba Motors, the authorised distributor of TVS motorbikes in Nepal, will provide a motorbike and scooter worth Rs 600,000.

Lyon Motors (Mitsubishi) will provide Rs 500,000 while Reebok have agreed to hand over sports kits and cash of Rs 500,000. Brij Cement and Laxmi Bank will provide Rs 300,000 each.

The event will have eight weight categories in men’s section –  46kg to 49kg, 52kg, 56kg, 60kg, 64kg, 69kg, 75kg and 81 kg. Women pugilists will vie in six categories – 45kg to 48kg, 51kg, 54kg, 57kg, 60kg and 64 kg.

The tournament will feature 10 teams including seven provincial and three departmental – Tribhuvan Army Club, Nepal APF Club and Nepal Police Club. The organisers have expected participation of at least 130 players. “The provincial selection has already completed under the aegis of Nepal Boxing Association,” said Shrestha.

The gold medalist of each weight category will get purse of Rs 25,000 and the silver medalist will earn Rs 15,000. The two bronze medalists will get Rs 7,500 each. The best male and female player will be rewarded with a motorbike and scooter.  The expected cost of the event is Rs eight million out of which National Sports Council has allocated Rs five million and the remaining amount will be collected from the sponsorship and internal source of Foundation, said Shrestha.