ITAHARI, Jan 15: International Madan Bhandari Memorial Gold Cup, the highest value football tournament of eastern Nepal, is set to start from January 26. 

The tournament, which will reward the winner with Rs 1.6 million and the runner-up with Rs 800,000, will run till February 2. 

Last year, the winner took home Rs 1.1 million, while the runner-up received a cash prize of Rs 500,000. 

The Madan Bhandari Gold Cup is the second highest prized gold cup after the ongoing third International Invitational Khaptad Gold Cup. The winner of Khaptad will get Rs 2.1 million, while the runner-up gets Rs 1 million. 

A total of eight teams will be taking part in the tournament including two foreign clubs. The foreign clubs are India’s George Telegraph Kolkata and Cameroon’s Dauphins Club. 

The host team, along with Three Star Club, Tribhuvan Army Club, Jhapa XI, Manang Marshyandgi Club, and Nepal Police Club will also take part. 

The best player of the tournament will receive a cash prize of Rs 30,000 and a 42-inch TV. Likewise, the man of the match of each match will receive Rs 10,000, while the best players of individual categories -- the best goalkeeper, the best defender, the best midfielder, the best forward, and the best coach -- will be rewarded with Rs 20,000 each.

On behalf of the organizer, Sanjeev Dhungana, informed that the total cost of the league is estimated to be Rs 6.5 million. 

 
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