Birtamod, October 25 - The second edition of the prestigious Expert Ekta Sporting Gold Cup football tournament kicked off on Thursday at the Charpane venue.

Jhapa 11 Football Club demonstrated their prowess by securing a 3-1 victory against Bahundangi FC in a spirited match held at the Bir Amarsingh Secondary School playground in Beldangi, Birtamode 2.

The triumph for Jhapa 11 unfolded with goals contributed by Sameer Gurung, Pradeep Budhathoki, and Manish Limbu, while Sevan Magar managed to secure a consolation goal for Bahundangi. This commendable performance propels Jhapa 11 into the semi-finals.

Pradeep Budhathoki of Jhapa 11 received the Player of the Match accolade and a cash prize of 3,000.

Eight clubs hailing from Jhapa are actively participating in this exciting competition. The competing teams include Jhapa 11, Bahundangi FC, Buttabari United, Jhapa FC, Sainik FC, Nava Pratibha Yuva Club, Brother United, and the event's host, Ekta Sporting Club, as confirmed by Kiran Poudel, the club's president.

The grand finale of this prestigious tournament is slated for Kartik 3.

The victors will be awarded a substantial cash prize of 111,111 rupees, while the runners-up will receive 55,555 rupees, alongside trophies, medals, and certificates. Additionally, individual players' contributions will not go unnoticed, as the best goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, forward, coach, top scorer, and overall best player will each be bestowed with a 3,000-rupee reward, as revealed by Technical Committee Coordinator Madhav Kharel.

Founded in 2074, Ekta Sporting Club has been dedicated to fostering the talents of over 100 young football enthusiasts under the age of 16. This endeavor is achieved through the guidance of skilled coaches at the Bir Amarsingh Secondary School grounds, with a primary objective of nurturing their abilities to contribute to the nation's development. These young players are considered a vital asset to the nation, both in terms of quantity and quality. The club's mission encompasses not only the training of footballers under the age of 12 but also the production of highly skilled players, thereby instilling a passion for the sport among the youth and channeling their potential towards football.