POKHARA, Dec 1: Pokhara's Sahara Club is set to hold the 14th edition of the Aaha Rara Gold Cup Football Tournament at the Pokhara Stadium from January 19-30 amid the ongoing political crisis caused by the blockade at the Nepal-India border points.
According to Bir Bhadra Acharya, president of the club, altogether 12 teams, including A Division clubs, teams from eastern and western regions and foreign clubs along with the host will take part in the tournament."As the schedules have been confirmed, now we will talk with the foreign clubs. We want to bring in two or three foreign clubs," he said.
Acharya said that the club is set to hold the tournament despite the blockade at the border and the internal crisis. "We are daring to host the tournament even in such hard time. Hope, all the problems will get solved by then," Acharya expressed his belief.
Club President Acharya said they are ready to host the tournament even in the odd situation as the spectators are expecting the tournament around the scheduled time.
"Most of the spectators are aware that the club has been hosting the event in Magh every year, so we did not change the schedule to meet their expectations. At the same time, the tournament is the main source of income for the club, so the show must go on," he added.
The host believed that the tournament will help in the promotion of tourism as the event is being organized with the slogan "Let's Cooperate for Sports Development, Promote Pokhara as Sports City."
"The tournament will be important for Pokhara in present context as the flow of internal and foreign tourists in the city is very low," said Acharya, who believes that the tournament will also be helpful to develop Pokhara as a 'Sports Hub'.
He also said that the tournament will serve as a platform for youth footballers to show their talents.
"The tournament will be important for developing Pokhara as a sports hub and provide opportunities to the local talents," he said.
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