Banke District Football Association (BDFA) is organising the first Nepalgunj Gold Cup football tournament at the Nepalgunj Stadium from April 23 to May 3.

The 11-day knock out tournament will feature eight teams – two foreign invitees from India, three ‘A’ Division clubs and three district teams. “We are yet to get confirmation from top tier clubs but we will probably have at least one big name and a departmental side,” informed BDFA President Bhoj Raj Shahi during a press conference here on Thursday.

Nepalgunj XI, a team from Far Western Region and Rupandehi XI are other clubs competing in the tournament. The tournament will carry a cash purse of Rs 151,000 for the winners, while the runners-up will take home Rs 100,000. Meanwhile, the organisers on Thursday also signed sponsorship agreement with Yeti Cement.

Shahi and Yeti Cement Director Sanjay Agrawal signed the agreement which will see the company providing a cash of Rs 600,000 to the organisers. Agrawal said his company was happy to be a part of the tournament. “To get a tournament of such standard in our city is a great initiative. This is a matter of pride for us and getting associated with one of the biggest football tournaments in the region is overwhelming for us,” said Agrawal.

Nepalgunj is holding a football tournament after a long time and Shahi said the event will get continuity in coming years. “We are able to announce the tournament after a really long hard work. We can assure that this tournament will get bigger with time and continue in coming years,” said Shahi. The tournament will also give away attractive prizes to best players in different positions.