Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, May 25:

Gorkha Brewery, manufacturers of San Miguel Beer, will sponsor the Martyrs’ Memorial ‘A’ Division League Football Tournament for three years. President of All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), Ganesh Thapa, and Rajendra Gurung, marketing director of Gorkha Brewery, signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today. According to the deal, the Gorkha Brewery will sponsor the league tournament with the company pumping in Rs 25,00,000 for three years.

“It is the larget sum of sponsorship in any of the league tournament held here so far,” said ANFA member and Chief Executive Officer of Himalayan Snax and Noodles Rabindra Man Shrestha. Speaking on the occasion, president Thapa stressed the importance of league tournaments after hosting the AFC President’s Cup Football Tournament recently. He said: “The league winner will now be playing in the AFC Cup which is a big boost for any team. Professionalism in football has increased these days and it is indeed a good sign.”

The ‘A’ Division League will begin from August 26 and the first round will end on October 6. The second round of the tournament will be held from November 7-December 18 at Dasharath Stadium.

In all, 15 teams — 12 ‘A’ Division clubs, three departmental teams of Mahendra Police Club, Tribhuvan Army Club and Gyanendra Armed Police Force Club — will take part in the tournament. Machhindra Bahal Club and Bauddha Youth Club will make their debut after being promoted to ‘A’ division this year.

The league will be played on double-league basis accounting a total of 210 matches. The estimated cost of the tournament is Rs 80,00,000.

Vice chairman of Khetan Group Rajendra Khetan, managing director of Gorkha Brewery CP Khetan, vice president of San Miguel Brewery International of Phillippines Carlos Antonio M Berba, and executive director of Carlsberg Asia Chin VoonLoong, along with ANFA officials were also present on the occasion.