KATHMANDU, Jan 22: Eastern region’s marquee football competition Madan Bhandari Memorial Itahari Gold Cup is set to kick off from January 26. 

The Itahari Gold Cup is entering its second season after it was revamped from older Dan Bahadur Phuyal Memorial Gold Cup which lasted for eight years under the same management of National Jagruti Club.
“We want to introduce Itahari as a sporting city and promote promising young players from this region,” said Anurodh Thapa, organizer and member of Jagruti club.

India’s George Telegraph Kolkata and Cameroonian team Dauphins Team Family will add up to six other local teams to participate in the tournament.

Host club Jagruti, Three Star Club, Tribhuvan Army Club, Jhapa XI, Manang Marsyangdi Club and Nepal Police Club are other teams to aim for the second highest prize money for Gold Cups. The winner of the seven-day football event will bag Rs 1.6 million.

The best player of the tournament will win a television set and Rs 30,000, whereas the man of the match will get a cash prize of Rs 10,000 in each match. Similarly, best goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, forward, and coach will receive Rs 20,000. Likewise, the top goal-scorer will receive Rs 30,000.

Jagruti Club President Sanjiv Dhungana estimated the cost of organizing the tournament at Rs 6.5 million. 

 
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