All preparations for the 25th edition of the prestigious football tournament Aha-Rara Pokhara Gold Cup, organized by Sahara Club Pokhara, have been completed.

The inaugural match of the tournament, which will start at the Pokhara Stadium from 27th Magh, will be played between the host Sahara Club and Hong Kong's Gorkha International Football Club. The club informed in a press conference held in Pokhara on Sunday that all technical and managerial preparations for the tournament have been completed. 

A total of 12 teams are participating in this year's tournament. These include established clubs of Nepal APF, Nepal Police, Machhindra, Church Boys United, Manang Marsyangdi, Jawalakhel Youth Club, Planning Boys United and Friends Club. As an attraction for the international teams, Uzbekistan's Abha Football Club, India's Thunderbolt North United Sikkim and Hong Kong's Gorkha International have been scheduled to take to the field. The tournament will last until 9th ​​Falgun. 

The organizers have stated that most of the matches will be played under floodlights in the evening. 'Portable floodlights' are being installed for playing evening matches. According to club president Keshav Thapa, the first half of the match will be played under daylight conditions, 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 Phulbari Cricket Club of Inaruwa. 

The organizers expect an increase in the number of spectators as the match will be played after office hours. ‘This will also be a new taste for the Pokhara spectators,’ said president Thapa. ‘The aim is also to put pressure on the government to install permanent floodlights at the Pokhara stadium.’ 

Highlighting the preparations and objectives of the competition, Sahara Club president Keshav Thapa said that this edition will prove to be a milestone in the campaign to make Pokhara a center of sports tourism. "We have been continuing this journey for the past 25 years with the main goal of collaborating in the development of sports and establishing Pokhara as a sports tourism city," he said. "On this occasion of the Silver Jubilee, we have made special preparations keeping in mind the quality of the game and the facilities of the spectators. We believe that this will not only help in the development of Nepali football but also in promoting Pokhara's tourism." The prize money of the competition has also been increased. This time, the winner will receive a cash prize of 1.4 million 1 thousand rupees and the runner-up will receive 7 million 1 thousand rupees. The best player of the competition in the individual category will be awarded a Telji electric scooter. Similarly, the best goalkeeper, defense, midfield, striker, coach, top scorer and emerging player will receive 25 thousand rupees each. The 'Man of the Match' of each match will receive 10 thousand rupees and a trophy, while daily lucky spectators and fans of the match prizes have been kept for the spectators.