BARA, APRIL 25
Sankata Club defeated African Roots Association in sudden death to win the title of the Bishwokarma Cement 11th Jitpur Simara Gold Cup here on Saturday.
The match, which was played under lights at the Simara Stadium, was decided on sudden death after both the teams failed to score in regulation and extra time and they converted four kicks each in tie breaker. Sankata goalkeeper Raja Babau Thapa denied ARA's Kaka in the sudden death after Saahid Smart had put the Kathmandu-based 'A' division outfit ahead.
With the victory, Sankata defeated ARA for the third time in the current season and second time in final. Sankata had edged past ARA in tie breaker in the final of the 19th Aaha-Rara Gold Cup in Pokhara before registering 1-0 victory in the quarter-final match of the sixth Birat Gold Cup in Biratnagar.
Sankata lifted the Simara Gold Cup for the second time.
They had also won the eighth edition title in Simara. Sankata received Rs 700,000 along with the trophy, while ARA got Rs 350,000. Nava Janajagriti Youth Club's Mohit Gurung was named the player of the tournament and he received a motorcycle, while his teammate Rohan Tamang was adjudged the emerging player and he got Rs 25,000.
Sankata also dominated the individual awards winning four of the five categories. Goalkeeper Raja Babu Thapa, defender Abhishek Limbu, midfielder Roshan Pahari and coach Raj Kumar KC bagged the individual awards in their respective positions, while ARA's Njimi was named the best striker.
They earned Rs 15,000 each.
A total of 12 teams took part in the tournament organised by Nava Janajagriti Youth Club under the sponsorship of Bishwokarma Cement. Jitpur Simara Sub-metropolitan City Mayor Krishna Poudel, deputy Mayor Saraswoti Chaudhary, All Nepal Football Association General Secretary Indra Man Tuladhar, Bishwokarma Cement Managing Director Deepak Ghimire among others handed over the prizes to the winners.
A version of this article appears in the print on April 26, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.
