ILAM: The first Deumai Invitational Gold Cup Football Tournament is scheduled to be held in Mangalbare of Deumai Municipality of Ilam from March 19.

The competition will be conducted from March 19 to 26 with the objective of promoting sports tourism through sports and producing athletes in rural areas.

The competition is being organized by United Deumai Youth Club and Deumai Municipality.

The club was established only two months ago with the active participation of 16 local youths.

Chair of the organizing committee Hemraj Limbu informed RSS that the games would be held at the dormitory playground of Bhanubhakta Secondary School.

Eight teams including three from outside the district will participate in the competition.

The winner of the competition will get Rs. 100,000 and the runner-up will get Rs. 50,000 in cash prize. District Oasis Club, Heliboth FC Bibliante, Pashupati Gana Ilam, Venice FC Fikkal and Deumai Youth Club and Armed Police Force Sunsari, Dangihat FC Belbari and Phidim Sporting Club Panchthar will participate in the competition, said Limbu.

The competition is estimated to cost around Rs 2 million and Rs 550,000 has been collected so far. Deumai Municipality has provided assistance of Rs. 300,000. Ward No. 5 of Deumai Municipality has contributed Rs. 50,000 and Ward No. 4 has contributed Rs. 30,000, according to the organizers.