The tournament will feature all the A division teams, except NRT, as well as the winners of the A and B division district leagues and the runner-up of the Martyrs Memorial B division League. All A division clubs had competed in the last two editions of the tournament. [break]
The tournament was known as British Gurkha Cup until the last edition, the third edition. Issuing a press statement on Friday, ANFA said it has included Munal Club of Jhapa and Deshbhakta Youth Club of Nawalparasi as A and B division district league champions. Tusal Youth Club, the runner-up of Martyrs Memorial B Division League, is the third team to be included in the tournament.
Meanwhile, ANFA has also eased restrictions on players recruitment for the three teams -- Munal, Deshbhakta and Tusal -- for the event. "The three teams can enroll any player who has not joined any A division team so far. Such players will be free to join any team after completion of the tournament," said Indraman Tuladhar, the CEO of ANFA.
Meanwhile, ANFA said the draw for the tournament was made at its headquarters on Friday in the presence of all the participating teams. The participating teams have been divided into four groups. The winners and runners-up of each group in the round-robin league will progress to the quarterfinals.
Munal Club, Nepal Police Club, Saraswati Club and Machhindra Club have been drawn in Group A, while Group B comprises Deshbhakta, Three Star Club, Armed Police Force (APF) and Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT). Similarly, Tusal, Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC), Nepal Army Club and Sankata are in Group C while Himalayan Sherpa, Friends, Jawalakhel and Boys Union are in Group D.
Nepal Police Club will take on Munal Club in the inaugural match. Two matches will be held every day during the round robin league while only one match will take place from the quarterfinal round.
The event carries a total cash prize of Rs 2 million, of which the winner will take home Rs 1 million while the runner-up will get Rs 500,000. It is the second biggest knockout tournament in Nepal in terms of prize money after Ncell Cup. The best player of the tournament will be given a motorbike, while the best players in four different positions -- goalkeeping, defense, midfield and forward -- and the best coach will be awarded Rs 50,000 each.
Related story
Kathmandu Gurkha signs Netherlands batsman Michael Levitt
