POKHARA, Dec 5: The 15th edition of Aaha-Rara Gold Cup is set to be held from January 17 to 28 in Pokhara. The tournament, that will feature national and international clubs, will be held at Pokhara stadium, organizer Sahara Club informed.

Organizing a press meet in Pokhara on Sunday, Sahara Club's President Birbhadra Acharya informed that the tournament's date is fixed as per the calendar provided by All Nepal Football Association (ANFA). According to Acharya, the tournament will see the participation of 12 clubs including five top domestic teams, three departmental teams, three international teams and host team Sahara.  

The tournament winner will win a purse of Rs 501,000 while the runner-up will be handed Rs 251,000 along with trophies and certificates, according to Acharya. The best player of the tournament will win motorcycle while the best players in five different positions and best coach will also get prizes. 

Acharya also informed that they are working on finalizing the name of foreign teams. "We are in contact with different clubs from India, Bangladesh and Bhutan among other nations. We will try to invite the best clubs as much as possible," said Acharya. 

The main objective of hosting this tournament is to establish Pokhara as a 'sports hub' to produce new football talents. "There are many young players who are yet to be established due to lack of opportunities. We want to provide exposure to such players," Acharya said, adding, "Producing talented players at the local level is our goal. If club like Sahara doesn't give exposure, talented players will get sidelined."

The saving from the ticket sales will be spent to look after the kids of Sahara Academy, according to Acharya. Currently, 28 kids from economically backward families are beign provided education, food and accommodation by Sahara Academy. 

VIP Parapet in pathetic condition
The three decades older VIP parapet of the Pokhara Stadium which was in need of renovation was further damaged after the devastating earthquake of last year. 

Sahara, which had kept lower number of the spectators in the VIP parapet during the 14th edition of the tournament, was expecting the damaged parapet to be renovated for the 15th edition.  But the VIP parapet is still in the same condition as before with just one and half months left for the tournament. 

"Last year, we were really worried about the safety of spectators. This time as well, situation is same," added Acharya. 

 "Neither the VIP parapet of 500 capacity was maintained properly nor the open parapet of 1800 capacity got appropriate preservation," added Acharya. 

"We making temporaty arrangement for spectators by using iron bars and scaffolding but that won't be enough to keep thousands of football lovers who will be coming to the stadium to watch the matches," said Acharya. 

District Sports Development Committee has already informed about the damaged parapet to the National Sports Council (NSC). However, NSC hasn't provided any fund for the renovation yet.

"Renovation will start if the supplementary budget is unveiled this year. Otherwise, the renovation will be done next year as the Ministry for Youth and Sports has assured us that the budget will be provided," said District Sports Development Committee's Chief Prakash Baral. 

 
• 15th edition of aaha-rara gold cup
 
• sahara club