This is the first time that football has been played under floodlights in Pokhara. Twelve teams, including three foreign teams, are participating in the competition.
We use Google Cloud Translation Services. Google requires we provide the following disclaimer relating to use of this service:
This service may contain translations powered by Google. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, expressed or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and noninfringement.
Host Sahara Club Pokhara has made a winning start to the 25th Aha-Rara Pokhara Gold Cup.
Sahara defeated the visiting team Gorkha International Football Club Hong Kong 1-0 in the opening match at the Pokhara Stadium on Tuesday.
Prashan Shrestha's decisive goal in the second half injury time has helped Sahara enter the quarterfinals. With 2 minutes left in the game, defender Shrestha broke the goalless situation and secured the victory.
Captain Ashish Gurung's throw-in twice was cleared by Gorkha International players. Immediately after, while clearing the throw-in for the third time, Shrestha collected the ball thrown by the Gorkha International defender and hit the second bar from the middle of the field. His long shot was not saved by the opposing goalkeeper Sandeep Singh. He was declared the 'Man of the Match' in the match. Sahara will play the first quarterfinal against the departmental team Nepal Police Club on 2 Falgun.
Pokhara is playing football under 'floodlight' for the first time. Twelve teams, including three foreigners, are participating in the competition.
Preeti Rai honored with the best national football player award
On the special occasion of the Silver Year, Sahara Club has honored national women's football player Preeti Rai with the 'Best National Football Player Award'. The club honored her with Rs 50,000. She was honored by Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya. 
In addition, the club has also specially honored 25 individuals and organizations who have made unparalleled contributions to bringing the competition to its 25th edition. The honorees include directors of the main sponsor of the Gold Cup, Himshree Foods, Prakash KC, Kiran KC and Roshan KC, along with Bikram Thapa, journalists Ajay Phuyal, Prakash Timilsina, Dipendra Shrestha, Milan Tamu, Dilip Rai, National Sports Council, All Nepal Football Association, Harikumar Shrestha, Prakash Sherchan, Khem Bahadur Gurung, Tika Bahadur Karki, Sunil Kumar Gurung, Fewa City Hospital, Dev Gurung, Pokhara Metropolitan City, Late Hem Bahadur Gurung, Late Rajman Thakali, Deepak Gurung, Krishna Gurung and Keshav Raj Baral.
