12 teams competing for Aaha Rara Gold Cup Title

Kaski, Jan 31: The 24th edition of the AAHA Rara Gold Cup, one of Nepal's biggest mofosal football tournaments, is set to take place in Pokhara from February 4 to 15.   

 
The tournament is being hosted by Sahara Club Pokhara and will feature 12 teams--nine from Nepal and three international squads, according to the club’s chair, Keshab Raj Baral.    

The opening match on February 4 will see the host Sahara Club take on the departmental team, Nepal Police Club. Other participating teams include Three Star Club, Machhindra Football Club, Sankata Club, NRT Football Club, and Api Power Church Boys United Football Club, Tribhuvan Army Club, Armed Police Force (APF), and international teams: Brigade Boys Club (UK), Thunder Bolt North United (India), and Black Bull Football Club (Uzbekistan).    

The teams have been divided into two groups. Group ' A' comprises Brigade Boys, Sahara Club, NRT, Church Boys, and Tribhuvan Army while Group B incorporates Three Star, APF, Machhindra, Thunder Bolt, Sankata, and Black Bulls.    

A team winning the tournament will receive a cash prize of Rs 1.2 million while the runner-up will receive Rs 600,000 and a player winning the title of the "best player" of the tournament will be awarded a scooter.    

Individual awards, with a cash prize of Rs 25,000 each, will be given for: highest scorer, best defender, best goalkeeper, best midfielder, best striker and best coach.    
A special award will be given to the Fair Play Team.    

According to Sahara Club, the tournament is expected to cost Rs 14.2 million, with an estimated income of Rs 15.1 million.    

The tournament is sponsored by Aaha Rara Noodles of Him Shree Foods Pvt. Ltd. The surplus funds from the event will be used to provide free football training and residential facilities for 30 boys supported by the Sahara Academy.  (RSS)