The final of the Bhadrapur Jhapa Gold Cup will be a special one as two local teams, Jhapa XI and Bhadrapur Blazers, battle for the title at Mechi Stadium today. This is the first time in the tournament’s history that two teams from Jhapa have reached the final.
A Historic Final for Jhapa Football
Both teams have impressed in the competition, defeating strong opponents, including foreign and A Division clubs. Tournament chairman Dipesh Dhakal said, “This final is historic for Jhapa football. We are proud to see two local teams fighting for the title.”
Jhapa XI has never won a Gold Cup title in their home district. They have reached the final five times in the Jhapa Gold Cup but have always finished as runners-up. Now, they are determined to break that streak and lift the trophy. Meanwhile, Bhadrapur Blazers, the host team, is confident of winning the title in front of their home crowd.
Preparation and Key Players
Jhapa XI is using this tournament as preparation for the upcoming B Division League. Coach Ankur Tamang said, “We want to play good football and win the title. We will plan our strategy based on the match situation.”
The team has included Aron Thapa and Alan Thapa, along with Rohan Karki and Samir Tamang, who were recently announced as marquee players for Kathmandu and Pokhara respectively in the upcoming Nepal Super League (NSL) season. Their experience at a high level adds strength to the squad.
Jhapa XI captain Pema Tamang is confident in his team, saying, “We have been playing together for two years, and we know each other’s strengths. The new players have also added quality to the team.”
Bhadrapur Blazers, on the other hand, have a well-balanced squad with talented local and foreign players. Captain Ashish Chapagain said, “We have experienced players who play professional football. We will play as a team and give our best.”
Assistant coach Arjun Rai believes home support will be an advantage. “As the host team, we expect a lot of support from the fans. We have studied Jhapa XI’s game and know their weaknesses. We will plan accordingly,” he said.
Road to the Final
Bhadrapur Blazers reached the final by defeating Darjeeling Police, Nepal Police Club, and Bangladesh’s Kawran Bazar Progoti Sangha. Jhapa XI, on the other hand, eliminated Machhindra FC, Church Boys United, and Bhutan’s Daga United FC to secure their place in the final.
Prize Money and Awards
The winner of the Bhadrapur Jhapa Gold Cup will receive NPR 1.3 million, a trophy, and medals, while the runner-up will take home NPR 700,000, along with a trophy and medals.
Other awards include:
Best Player of the Tournament – NPR 105,000
Best Goalkeeper, Top Scorer, Emerging Player & Best Coach – NPR 25,000 each
Player of the Match (each game) – NPR 21,000
With pride, history, and a big prize at stake, today’s final promises to be an exciting and competitive match for Jhapa football fans.
