Sahara ready to host Aaha Gold Cup

POKHARA: The Sahara Football Club is all set for the Aaha Gold Cup Football Tournament begining here at the Pokhara Stadium from January 26 to February 15.

"The stadium is ready to host the event and we have completed our preparation, including accomodation arrangement of the participating teams," said the club pesident Bikram Thakali. In all 12 teams are taking part in the league-cum-knockout tournament that is expected to cost around 4.3 million rupees.

The 'A' Division clubs, Nepal Police, Tribhuvan Army, Armed Police Force, New Road Team, Machhindra and Manang Marshyangdi will vie for the championship. The British Gorkha Cup champions Nabil Three Star Club has opted out of the tournament.

Three Star president Lalit Krishna Shrestha said they have opted out to prepare for the 'A' Division League set to kick off from February 12. "We are also not sure of playing in the Budha Subba Gold Cup in Dharan," informed Shrestha. Knight Chess Club of Jhapa, Rupandehi-XI and hosts Sahara are the other teams to join the invitees Gorkha United FC of Dehradun and Dhaka Sporting Club of Bangladesh. The winners will earn Rs 175,000 and the runners up will get Rs 75,000.

The best player of the tournament will be presented with a motorcycle while the highest scorer will pocket Rs 15,000.