KATHMANDU, Dec 7: Far West XI Sports Club, Dhangadhi is organizing International Invitational Far Western Khaptad Gold Cup Football Tournament at the Dhangadhi Stadium in Kailali from January 5 to 14.
Organizing a press conference in the capital on Tuesday, the club's President Suresh Hamal informed that it was the first occasion that Far Western Region was hosting such football tournament. According to Hamal, the tournament will see participation of 12 teams from the country including two teams from abroad and half a dozen of premier division clubs of the country.
Manang Marshyangdi, Three Star, Sankata, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and Tribhuvan Army are the A division clubs to participate in the tournament while Sahara Club (Pokhara), one team each of host (Far Western Region) and Mid Western Region and one team each from Delhi and Kolkata have confirmed their participation in the tournament. The slogan of the tournament is: "Lets cooperate for sports development and introduce Far West as sports and tourism center".
The winner and the runner up teams will walk home with cash prize of Rs 500,000 and Rs 251,000 respectively along with trophies and medals. Similarly, the best player will be given a motorbike while best players of four different positions - goalkeeping, defense, midfield and forward and best coach will be rewarded with purse of Rs 15,000 each. The expected cost of the tournament is Rs seven million.
Hamal said that there was a huge challenge for them to host the biggest football event in the region. “Some like minded football loving people of this region have united and formed the club in order to conduct football activities and give platform to talented young players,” Hamal said. “We have forwarded proposal to some corporate houses for sponsorship but have not got reply from any of them.”
“However, we are determined to host the event and even if we fail to collect the amount from sponsors and donors we have planned to raise the amount from executive body of the club itself,” Hamal said.
Speaking on the occasion, ANFA Member Ganesh Bahadur Chand who also hails from Far Western Region said that the footballers from the region had not got opportunity to show their talents despite having enormous talent. “The Far Western Regional team was the men's football champions during the Sixth National Games finishing ahead of departmental teams,” he said.
He also pointed out that it was more challenging for organizers to give continuity to the tournament rather than organize the first edition.
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