Mahashivaratri mela and various sports programmes have begun at Maiwakhola-3, Saghu in Taplejung on Tuesday. Machhipokhari Hiti Club Choge Taplejung and Myanglung Sporting Club Tehrathum have started winning in the Racha Memorial Running Cup organized on the occasion of the fair.

Defending champions Machhapokhari Hiti Club Choge defeated Intra Pathri XI 4-2 in the first quarter-final held at the Saghu Sports Ground on Tuesday to enter the semi-finals. Kiran Gurung of Machhapokhari Hiti was declared man of the match.

Similarly, in the second quarter-final held on Tuesday, Myanglung Sporting Club Tehrathum defeated Hosts Jaljale Club 4-1 to reach the semi-finals of the  Tournament. Bishal Kafle of Myanglung Sporting Club was declared man of the match.

The man of the match of both the matches received a cash prize of Rs 2,000 and a trophy.

The tournament, which started on March 15, will conclude on March 15. The last two matches of the quarter-finals will be played on wednesday, the second day of the tournament with eight teams participating.