Crown Prince opens football tournament

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BHADRAPUR, Feb. 6: Patron of the National Sports Council His Royal Highness Crown Prince Paras Bir Bikram Shah Dev inaugurated the Tribhuvan Memorial Gold Cup Knockout Football championship at local Mechi Stadium today with the lighting of a traditional oil lamp.The championship commenced after HRH the Crown Prince handed over a football for the purpose to FIFA referee Ambar Bahadur Pokharel.HRH the Crown Prince watched the match played today under the championship.Earlier, organising committee treasurer Nitesh Barma offered HRH the Crown Prince a badge while executive member of the committee Deepak Pokharel presented a programme booklet and Chief District Officer Tikaram Aryal on behalf of the organising committee and FNCCI third vice-chairman Chandi Raj Dhakal on behalf of the Jhapa District Business Association offered presents.

Upon arrival at Mechi Stadium for the inauguration, HRH the Crown Prince was welcomed by Pancha Kanyas, CDO Aryal, organising committee chairman Tika Raj Dhakal, other office holders and distinguished individuals.HRH the Crown Prince also inspected the stadium and granted group audience to the instructors and employees.At the function, Minister for Education and Sports Devi Prasad Ojha said that as sport is an important factor in enhancing the dignity of the people and the nation, the role and cooperation of everyone is every sector are necessary for its development. Pointing out the fact that the role of sports is important in making Nepal better known in the world, Minister Ojha said that the National Sports Council (NSC) was an important organisation in providing leadership to sports in the country.

The contribution of the monarchy, the symbol of national unity, has been important in the protection and promotion of sports and significant at a time of national crisis. NSC member cum secretary Kishor Bahadur Singh also recalled the important contributions of the monarchy in the development of sports and sought cooperation from every sector for its further development.

President of All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) Ganesh Thapa, chairman of the organisation committee Tika Raj Ghimire and general secretary Rajendra Ghimire also expressed their views on the occasion. Nine teams from Nepal, four from India and one from Bangladesh are participating in the championship organised by Mechi Stadium Reconstruction Committee and the 15th Tribhuvan Memorial Gold Cup Knockout Football Tournament 2059 organisation committee. The championship, which has resumed after about 12 years, will continue until February 19. A welcome song was sung, cultural pageants staged and martial arts demonstrated before the commencement of the championship. In the first match of the played here today, Jhapa 11 (red) trounced Kharsang Football Club by 5-1 goals. Morang 11 will taken on Jhapa (blue) in the match to be played tomorrow.