Twelve teams, including four foreigners, are participating in the 25th Aha Rara Pokhara Gold Cup, which will be held from 27th Magh to 9th Falgun.
What you should know
For the first time, a football match is going to be held under floodlights at the Pokhara Stadium. Portable floodlights are going to be installed for evening matches in the 25th Aha Rara Pokhara Gold Cup organized by Sahara Club.
Twelve teams, including four foreigners, are participating in the Gold Cup to be held from 27th Magh to 9th Falgun. Nepal Police Club, Church Boys United, Manang Marshyandi Club, Nepal APF Club, Planning Boys United, Jawalakhel Youth Club, Machhindra Football Club, host Sahara Club, Abha Football Club of Uzbekistan, Gorkha International Football Club of Hong Kong, Thunderbold North United (Sikkim) of India and one other team will participate in the competition.
Sahara Club President Keshav Thapa informed at a press conference on Sunday that he has already written to the Indian team, received verbal information to come and is waiting for a formal letter. According to him, the first half of the match will be played in daylight, while floodlights will be used only in the second half. The temporary floodlight is 35 feet high. Earlier, the same floodlight was also installed in the Virat Gold Cup. The floodlights are managed by the Fulbari Cricket Club of Inaruwa.
The organizers expect an increase in the number of spectators as the match will be held after office hours. ‘This will also be a new taste for the Pokhara spectators,’ said Chairman Thapa, ‘The aim is also to pressure the government to install permanent floodlights at the Pokhara Stadium.’
Coordinator Purna Bahadur Gurung said that preparations for the competition are in the final stages. He said that the competition will be made special as this year is the silver year of the Aha Rara Gold Cup. The organizers have increased the prize money this year. The title winner will receive Rs. 1.4 million and the runner-up will receive Rs. 7 million. Prakash KC, Managing Director of Himshree Foods, the main sponsor of the competition, expressed happiness over being able to continuously support the competition.
