Himal Press 
POKHARA: Nepal Police Club (NPC) advanced to the quarterfinal of the 24th Aha Rara Pokhara Gold Cup Football Competition, defeating organizers Sahara Club Pokhara 1-0 in the opening match of Gandaki Province’s biggest football tournament at the Pokhara Stadium on Tuesday.
Ujjwal Rai scored the winning goal in the 37th minute when he converted a corner kick into a brilliant goal on his second attempt.
Despite fielding three foreign players, Sahara Club Pokhara failed to capitalize on early opportunities. In the 5th minute, William Segun’s flick was saved by NPC goalie Shatrudhan Chaudhary. He also thwarted Shara Captain Sushil Lama’s attempt in the 12th minute. In the 23rd minute, Sant Bahadur Gurung’s cross went wide, adding to Sahara’s missed chances.
NPC will now face the UK’s Brigade Boys Club in the quarterfinal. The tournament features 12 teams. The winner will receive Rs 1.2 million, while the runner-up will take home Rs 600,000, according to club president Keshav Raj Baral.
Inaugurating the competition, Pokhara Mayor Dhanraj Acharya said Pokhara is not only the tourism capital but also a city of sports.
Meanwhile, the organizers honored national football star Sanish Shrestha with the ‘Best National Football Player of the Year’ award. The award carries a purse of Rs 50,555.
