The 23rd edition of Aha Rara Pokhara Gold Cup has kicked off in Pokhara. In the opening match held on Tuesday, the host Sahara Club Pokhara lost 2-1 to the Three Star Club of Kathmandu and exited the tournament.

With the win, Three Star has entered the quarterfinals. In the victory of Three Star, team captain Yogesh Gurung and Angel Maharjan scored equal 1-1 goals. On the other hand, Ashish Gurung scored 1 goal for Sahara.

In the fifth minute of the game, Yogesh took the lead by scoring a goal for Three Star, but in the 23rd minute, Sahara's Ashish Gurung scored a goal to equalize the game.

In the 59th minute of the second half of the game, Angel Gurung of Three Star scored the decisive goal for the second and victory, securing the team's place in the last eight. Yogesh Gurung, the captain of Three Star, has been declared the man of the match. In the quarter finals, Three Star will play against Bhutan's Paro FC.

Rising Star FC will meet departmental team Tribhuvan Army Club on Wednesday.

Dhanraj Acharya, head of the Pokhara Metropolitan Municipality, while inaugurating the tournament, said that the Aha Rara Gold Cup has played an important role in the development of Pokhara's football, so the metropolis has taken its patronage. He said that the city of Pokhara will take the initiative to bring foreign clubs to the tournament which is being held continuously in any situation.

On that occasion, national football player Ayush Ghalan was honored with cash.

The inaugural program was presided over by Sahara Club Pokhara President Keshavraj Baral. Prakash KC, President of Himshree Foods, Purna Gurung, Vice President of the club, General Secretary Ramji Prasad Adhikari also spoke on this occasion on behalf of the main sponsor organization.