Football

The fifth edition of Belbari Buddha Air International Invitational Football Tournament will kick off in Belbari, Morang this afternoon. 

The tournament, organised by the Dangihat Youth Club, will be played at the Laxmi Higher Secondary School ground in Belbari-11. The event, featuring 10 domestic and international teams, runs till November 9. The tournament winners will be awarded a cash prize of Rs801,000 and the runners-up will get Rs401,000, the organisers said.

Dilprasad Rai, mayor of Belbari Municipality, said the football tournament was a matter of pride for the Belbari residents as it had helped introduce the city and players to the country and abroad. "From a humble beginning from a mufussil, the Belbari Gold Cup tournament has attained the international level, helping sports as well as the socio-economic development," he said.

The chairman of the 5th Belbari International Invitational Gold Cup Football Organising Committee, Bikram Bantwa Rai, expressed his belief that the tournament will be successful in raising the identity of Belbari to the international level.

Defending champions Armed Police Force will compete with Rolling FC Jhapa, Pemba Youth Club Biratnagar, Dangihat Youth Club, Sahara Club Pokhara, West Bengal Aamukt Parivar of India, Sahels Youth Club of Siraha, Aviner Football Club Cameroon, United Brothers Kalimpong India and Rajarani Football Club of Dhankuta in the competition. 

Rajesh Basnet, the financial coordinator of the competition, said the tournament, whose organisation cost is estimated at Rs5.2 million, is expected generate income of Rs6 million.