Himal Press 
Photo: RSS
KATHMANDU: Sankata Club clinched the title of the President’s Cup Football Tournament – 2025 by defeating the organizers, Bagmati Democratic Sports Association, 4-3 in a thrilling penalty shootout at Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwar on Thursday.
The match entered the penalty shootout after the regulation 90 minutes ended in a goalless stalemate. Sankata’s goalkeeper and captain, Deep Karki, saving two penalties and scored one himself to secure the victory for his team. Bagmati initially took a 2-0 lead in the shootout after their goalkeeper, Bikesh Kuthu, saved Sankata’s first two attempts, but Sankata made a spectacular comeback in the tie-breaker to lift the trophy.
For Sankata, Lachhu Thapa, Sam Carls and Deepak Karki successfully converted their penalties, while Navin Lama, Fode Fofana, and Alex scored for Bagmati in the first five rounds. In the sudden death round, Sunil Khadka scored for Sankata, while and Deep Karki sealed the win by saving Rajat Pahari’s penalty.
With this victory, Sankata Club claimed the trophy along with a cash prize of Rs 2.6 million, while runners-up Bagmati received Rs 1.3 million.
Earlier in the tournament, Bagmati defeated Nepal Police 2-1 in the quarterfinals and overcame New Road Team (NRT) 4-2 in a penalty shootout in the semifinals. Sankata, on the other hand, triumphed over Church Boys United 3-0 in the quarterfinals and edged past Machhindra Football Club 8-7 in a sudden-death penalty shootout in the semifinals.
Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba presented the trophy. Other Nepali Congress (NC) leaders and officials from the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) were also present at the ceremony.
