Laxmi Group joins hand for Safal Cup

KATHMANDU, Oct 24: Kaski District Football Association on Monday inked a three-year sponsorship deal with Safal Dudh, a product of Laxmi Group, for Safal Pokhara Cup International Invitational Inter-club Football Tournament to be held in Pokhara, Kaski from November 8 to 19.



As per the deal, signed amid a function at the ANFA headquarters, Satdobato, Laxmi Group will provide Rs 800,000 annually for three year to conduct the tournament. The amount will increase by 10 percent every year.[break]



Kaski District Football Association President Khem Bahadur Gurung and Laxmi Group President Ganesh Bahadur Shrestha signed the deal on behalf of their respective institutions.



The tournament will feature 12 teams in total, including top eight teams of the Martyrs Memorial A Division League that concluded on July 16 earlier this year.



The other teams include Southern Sports Football Club of Kolkata, India, Transport United of Bhutan and Lieutenant Sheikh Jamal Dhan Mondi Club Limited of Bangladesh and host team Pokhara XI. Transport United is the league champion of Bhutan and Southern Sports features in Kolkata A division league.



Nepal Police Club, Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC), Samsung Jawalakhel Youth Club, Mega Three Star Club, Yeti Himalayan Sherpa Club, Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT), New Road Team (NRT) and Nepal Army Club had secured top eight positions in the A division league.



Altogether 11 sub committees and a main organizing committee have been formed under the chairmanship of President Gurung to run the tournament smoothly.

"Out motive is to make this tournament South Asian level inter-club tournament and we are planning to add two more clubs from other South Asian Countries," Gurung said. "We hope that this tournament will contribute in promoting Nepal Tourism Year 2011 and also develop football in Nepal," Gurung added.



Speaking during the function, Laxmi Group President Shrestha said that the group was lending support as part of their corporate social responsibility. "Laxmi Intercontinental has been the chief sponsor of Manang Marshyangdi Club since last two year and I hope the deal will provide new enthusiasm to football."



The participation of Nepali national players from their respective clubs in the tournament is still uncertain.



The players are touring ASEAN countries as part of their preparation for the upcoming SAFF Championship to be held in New Delhi from December 1-15. The team is schedule to return Nepal by the first week of November. The team will undergo close camp training after their arrival as well.



"We have requested ANFA to arrange close camp training of the national team in Pokhara so that the national players could also participate in the tournament from their respective clubs. However, no decision has been made in this regard as ANFA President Ganesh Thapa is outside the country."



The winner and the runner up of the tournament will bag purse of Rs 250,000 and Rs 125,000 respectively.



Similarly, the best player of the tournament will be awarded with a motorbike valued Rs 200,000. Other best players award categories include goalkeeper, defense, midfielder and forward. The best coach and high scorer will also be awarded with attractive prizes.



The cost of the event is estimated at about Rs 4.5 million.

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