In the absence of top-level league competitions for the past
three years, regional cup competitions such as the Nepalgunj Gold Cup have been
crucial in sustaining Nepali football in this period.
Along with its sister tournaments in Pokhara, Dharan,
Butwal, Biratnagar, Birtamod, Simara and elsewhere, the Nepalgunj Gold Cup is
providing much needed matches and money to football stakeholders including national
level players, coaches, referees and clubs whose livelihoods and operations
have been severely jeopardized by the shutdown of league competitions.
The regional cups are also a major boon to local football. For
fans - they bring celebrated clubs and players and high standard of matches,
which are mostly concentrated in Kathmandu, to different corners of the
country. For players - they provide a platform to compete against the top
talents and clubs in the country. For administrators - it gives them experience
in organizing tournaments and looking after the matches, logistics, sponsorship
and marketing that come along with it.
Furthermore, if well run, the regional cups can raise quite
a bit of revenue which ideally should be ploughed back into local football. For
example, Sahara Club Pokhara’s
impressive training centre was built on the profits of the Aaha! Gold Cup. Hopefully,
the Nepalgunj Gold Cup will eventually create a similar legacy, but for now it
is already playing a crucial role in supporting football at the national and
local levels.
