The construction of the academy building was undertaken at the initiation of Sahara Club of Pokhara. [break]
The money collected by Sahara UK has been raised from Nepalis residing in UK and other institutions.
Meanwhile, British officials of the Pokhara Academy Children Trust (PACT) also donated £ 3,000 for the construction and Rs 75,000 was collected from other donors.
The officials of PACT handed over the amount amidst a function held at Pokhara on Thursday. PACT had earlier donated Rs 930,000 for the construction of academy.
Sahara UK is the biggest donor for the construction of the academy. Sahara UK´s coordinator Dilip Gurung handed over the latest donation to the Sahara Pokhara´s president Bikram Thakali on Thursday.
Sahara UK´s Gurung also expressed his commitment for financial support in future as well.
"We have supported the club with around Rs 5 million and will continue to support in future," Gurung said adding that Nepali people residing in UK are always curious about the activities of Sahara Pokhara.
Sahara Pokhara has named a hall of the academy Sahara UK to honor the support of the latter.
Sahara Pokhara´s president Thakali lauded the role of donors and supporters.
"We have inched closer to achieving our dream. Had we not received support from the national and international donors the dream of constructing the academy would have never been achieved," Thakali said.
The construction of the academy building that started some one and half year ago has almost completed. Out of the total estimated cost of Rs 12.7 million, Rs 10 million has been spent. The club had bought 26 ropanis of land four years earlier for constructing the academy.
Sahara Pokhara, established in 2055 BS, has been running football academy since last seven years.
Currently, there are five children with the academy who are from poor background.
A couple of months ago, nine players of the academy were enrolled at Boys Union Club, a second division football outfit. Along with providing regular football training, the club has also arranged formal education for the academy children.
Caption: Sahara Pokhara´s President Bikram Thakali receiving Rs 201,000 and a banner from Sahara UK´s coordinator Dilip Gurung at Pokhara on Thursday.
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