Expect fireworks in Birat Gold Cup

The bustling    industrial city of Biratnagar is all set for   one   of   the oldest football tournaments in the country, Birat Gold Cup, kicking off on 3^rdMarch at the historical Shahid Maidan.

With the city’s premier sporting spectacle right around the corner, sport enthusiasts in the area and beyond  are gearing up for the event  that is close to their hearts.

There is    so much history, emotion, prestige and respect attached to the tournament. No wonder, the competition had   developed   the aura of exclusivity.

Originally known as   “Mahendra Gold Cup “, it became   one of   the country’s   most   prestigious and popular   tournaments before it went into oblivion.

In many ways, the football   championship symbolized the nation’s industrial hub and   served as a very important vehicle to promote   the development of football in   the eastern region.

Failure to rope in corporate sponsors,   shoe-string budget and lack of commitment on part of the organizing committee contributed to the discontinuation of the tourney.

The revival of the championship put   back   smiles on fans’ faces. Since then the tournament has been run on a modest scale.  It is not even close to what it used to be.

I am aware that the   organizing and   conducting   part of   the   tournament   like   Birat Gold Cup    involves   a whole lot of planning and preparation, coupled   with   financial and logistic needs.

That being said, the organizing   committee   must comprehend   the   significance of making the tournament more- broad based, appealing to fans and competing teams.

That can be done by raising the prize money and   maintaining the   high standard and quality of the competition in terms of   enhanced facilities and infrastructure for both spectators and players. I think the   local sport   community   has   done enough to   deserve a decent stadium.

I take this opportunity to re- emphasis the important role a stadium can play in promoting not only football but other sports as well.  This won’t happen   unless   there is a concerted effort on part of the organizing committee and the people of Biratnagar to achieve the goal.

This   years’ edition has   been largely overshadowed   by the AFC Champions Cup. The tournament has failed to generate considerable   media attention not surprisingly.  There has been little   coverage in the media.

I don’t blame them.  Apparently, right now the national media is totally focused on the national team and the AFC Challenge Cup.

The organizing committee   should have postponed the tournament by a week at least. Certainly, everyone would have benefitted.   Next time, they will be wiser for sure.

Admittedly the organizer   has done a fabulous job when it comes to the list of   foreign teams competing in the tournament.  This is very impressive to me. By far, this is the best tournament   of the year.

Despite the absence of Nepal’s   top notch clubs, the competition features ten teams from India, Bangladesh and Bhutan.

Himalayan Sherpa Club, Sankata, APF,  Simrik  Saraswoti and Morang XI  represent Nepal, while  the foreign teams  consist  of Manipur XI, Kalimpong XI, HAL, Bangalore ( India), Abahani Rajshahi ( Bangladesh) and  CFC (Bhutan) .

Soccer goers   who have waited so long for the tournament   are headed for a   thrilling, exciting and exhilarating round   of football. Great job done, organizing committee.