Kathmandu, December 6

Farwest Sports Club of Dhangadhi is organising the first International Invitational Farwest Khaptad Gold Cup Football Tournament at the Dhangadhi Stadium from January 5-14, next year.

A total of 12 teams, including two teams from India, will take part in the tournament being organised for the first time in the region, informed Club’s President Suresh Hamal at a press meet today. Indian teams Shastri FC of Delhi and Diamonds FC of Kolkata will join three departmental teams Nepal Police Club, Nepal APF Club and Tribhuvan Army Club as well as Ruslan Three Star Club, Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club, CMG Club Sankata, Sahara Club of Pokhara, team from Nepalgunj and hosts Farwest-XI.

“Originally the tournament was scheduled for December 18-27 and Jhapa-XI had also confirmed their participation. But we had to change the dates due to the seventh National Games and Jhapa were forced to pull out as the dates clashed with their India tour. We are in talks with other clubs to replace Jhapa,” said Hamal.

The winners will earn a purse of Rs 500,000, while the runners-up will take home Rs 251,000. Similarly, the best player of the tournament will get a motorbike, while the highest goal scorer, best goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, forward and coach will receive Rs 15,000 each. “We are been organising the tournament to create a platform for the local players who have not been able to showcase their talent due to lack of events in the region,” said Hamal. “We have contacted various corporate houses but we are yet to get a sponsor. However, we are committed to make the event a grand success,” Hamal added. The estimated budget of the tournament is seven million rupees.

All Nepal Football Association Development Director Sanjib Mishra said organising events in Farwest was a challenging job. “There must be a lot of talented players in the region but they have not been able to come to national fold. We have not seen any talent after Rohit Chand came to limelight,” he said. Four-time SA Games gold medallist taekwondo player Deepak Bista and ANFA Member Ganesh Chand argued that footballers were deprived of the proper environment in the region.