KASKI: Sahara Club Pokhara has won the title of the 25th edition of the Aha Rara Pokhara Goldcup National and International Invitational Football Championship, the oldest and prestigious such competition organized outside Kathmandu.
In today’s final match held at Pokhara Stadium, the hosts Sahara defeated Jawalakhel Youth Club 2–0 to clinch the title after 12 years.
The champion Sahara bagged Rs 1 million 401 thousand along with the trophy, while the runner-up Jawalakhel had to settle for Rs 701 thousand and the trophy.
Sahara’s forward Mukunda Kumar Niure scored a goal in the 25th minute of the match. Niure skillfully headed Sushil Lama’s corner kick to score. The home team, which had taken a one-goal lead in the first half, managed to score another goal in the second half.
Sahara’s foreign player Taya Daniel Badaru secured the team’s win by scoring a goal with a header in the 73rd minute of the game.
The title of the ‘best player’ of the competition was awarded to Mukunda Kumar Niure from Sahara, who was prized an electric scooter. Similarly, the ‘best defender’ was Badaru from Sahara, the top scorer was Papa Ibou Kebe from Planning Boys, the emerging player was Niure from Sahara, the best striker was Dharvenda Kunwar from Jawalakhel Youth Club, the best goalkeeper was Tikendra Thapa from Sahara, the best midfielder was Baubakar Sisiko from Jawalakhel, the best coach was Sunil Ranamagar from Sahara, and the ‘Fair Play Award’ was conferred on Abha Football Club Uzbekistan. They each received a cash prize of Rs 25,000.
The competition, organised by Sahara Club Pokhara, which started on February 10, saw a total of 12 teams competing, including three from abroad and nine from Nepal.
Minister for Social Development, Youth and Sports of Gandaki Province, Bindu Kumar Thapa, and Executive Director of the main sponsor Himshree Foods, Prakash KC, among others, handed the awards to the winning players.
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