Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) and Mega Three Star Club have received bye in the first round while two foreign teams - Sheikh Jamal Dhanmudi Club of Bangladesh and Southern Sports Club of India -- have also got direct entry into the second round. [break]
The organizers had earlier said that last season´s league winner Nepal Police Club and three teams form the neighboring countries would receive bye in the first round. However, they made changes in the last minute as uncertainty loomed over the participation of MMC and Three Star.
MMC is facing crunch of players as seven of its players are in closed camp training for the upcoming SAFF Championship while Three Star has already confirmed its participation in the Darjeeling Gold Cup Football Tournament to be held in Darjeeling, India.
Three Star´s mach in Darjeeling kicks off a day after the opening day of Safal Pokhara Cup but with the changed schedule the team will be back for the second round.
The 11-day tournament in Pokhara, featuring three foreign teams from the neighboring countries, eight top flight clubs of Nepal as well as the host Pokhara XI carries a cash prize of Rs 250,000 for the winning team and Rs 125,000 for the runner up, which is the highest prize announced by an organizer outside the capital.
The organizers said Friday during a press conference that the preparation for the tournament has been completed. “Now it is the responsibility of all the people of Pokhara to make this tournament a success,” said Khem Bahadur Gurung, president of the organizing committee. “This tournament will also help promote internal as well as external tourism,” he added.
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