POKHARA: India’s top tier club Pune FC will be one of the 12 clubs participating in the 10th Aaha Gold Cup, organisers Sahara Football Club confirmed here today. 

Pune — who are currently at the sixth spot in i-league — will be joined by six ‘A’ Division clubs, Sahara Football Club, Rupandehi-XI, ANFA U-19 team, Dharan Football Club and African United Club in the January 31 to February 11 event to be held at the Pokhara Stadium. 

Defending champions Mega Three Star Club, recently-concluded National League champions Nepal Police Club, Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club, Yeti Himalayan Sherpa Club, Samsung Jawalakhel Youth Club and Ranipokhari Corner Team will be the top tier teams competing in the tournament, informed Sahara Club secretary Keshab Bahadur Thapa. 

The winners will receive Rs 200,000 and the runners-up Rs 100,000, while the best player of the tournament will get a motorbike.

Meanwhile, Him Shree Foods — manufacturer of Aaha and Rara noodles —has agreed to sponsor the tournament for the next 10 years. 

Sahara Club president Bikram Thakali and Him Shree Foods chairman Surya Bahadur KC signed in the Memorandum of Understanding. As per the agreement, Him Shree will provide Rs 11.1 million for 10 years to the organisers. 

With the agreement, the tournament will be renamed as Aaha Rara Gold Cup from the next edition. Him Shree chairman KC said they had agreed to renew the contract evaluating on the success it had during the previous editions. “We are satisfied with how the club (Sahara) has handled the tournament to gain popularity. So, we decided to go with the contract extension,” said KC.