Budha Subba Gold Cup returns to Dharan on Thursday (Full Fixtures/Schedules)

The 26th edition of the International Invitational Budha Subba Gold Cup Football Tournament is set to begin on Thursday at the Dharan Stadium in eastern Nepal.

Organiser Dharan Football Club said all preparations for the tournament have been completed. Club president Pratap Tamang said arrangements related to the playing field, stage, parapet, and technical teams are in their final stages.

The Budha Subba Gold Cup, launched in 2055 BS by Dharan Football Club, is regarded as the first international invitational football tournament held outside the Kathmandu Valley.

The opening match of the tournament will be played between host Dharan Football Club of Nepal and Georgian Football Club of India. The organisers said Dharan FC is preparing to field mostly local players, while Georgian FC will be participating in the Budha Subba Gold Cup for the first time.

Tamang said teams from Bhutan and India were arriving on Wednesday. He added that although the ongoing parliamentary election environment has led authorities to impose stricter controls on public events, the tournament has received approval as it was scheduled in advance.

According to the organisers, permission to conduct the tournament has been granted by the Sunsari District Administration Office with certain conditions. Due to the election period, the tournament will not have a grand opening ceremony like in previous years.

However, Tamang said that before the opening match, players from both teams will enter the field accompanied by children with autism as part of an awareness initiative to promote understanding and compassion toward autism.

A total of 10 teams will participate in this year’s tournament, an increase from the previous editions that featured only eight teams. The participating teams are defending champions New Road Team, runners-up Church Boys United, Georgian FC of India, Nepal Police Club, Satdobato Youth Club, Laligurans Association Pokhara, Jhapa XI, Royal Thimphu FC of Bhutan, and host Dharan Football Club.

The tournament champions will receive a trophy, medals, and a cash prize of NPR 1 million, while the runners-up will receive NPR 500,000. The tournament’s best player will be awarded a Dio scooter, selected from players of the two finalist teams.

Each match’s Man of the Match will receive NPR 10,000. Awards worth NPR 25,000 each will be presented to the best goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, striker, and coach. The tournament’s top scorer will receive NPR 35,000.

The Budha Subba Gold Cup is coordinated by Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City. Gorkha Brewery Pvt Ltd (Gorkha Beer) is the main sponsor, while Tasty Tasty Chow Chow is the co-sponsor.

The organisers estimate total income of NPR 10.7 million and expenses of NPR 8.715 million for the tournament.

Budha Subba Gold Cup 26th Edition – Match Fixtures