Rangbhang Samaj UK Clinches Title of 24th Gurkha Cup

London. Rangbhang Samaj UK FC has won the main title of the 24th edition of the Gurkha Cup football tournament held in Britain.

In the final completed on Sunday night as per Nepali time, Rangbhang Samaj defeated Guruji Elite FC 2-0 to lift the prestigious title. Guruji Elite had also finished as runners-up last year.

According to Captain Deepak Ghale, Sports Secretary of Tamu Dhee UK and Coordinator of the 24th edition of the Gurkha Cup, the tournament was played in a 9-a-side format at the Queen’s Avenue Sports Field in Aldershot, Britain.

The winner of the main tournament, Rangbhang Samaj UK, received £3,500 along with a trophy and certificate. Runners-up Guruji Elite FC secured £2,000 along with a trophy and certificate. Som Thapa of Rangbhang Samaj UK was declared ‘Best Manager’. Eniola Alamo of Nepjom FC became the top scorer of the tournament. Nwang Sherpa, also of Rangbhang Samaj UK, was declared ‘Player of the Match’.

In the veterans’ category, Intake Zerofour emerged as the champion. The match went to a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw in regulation time. Following a 5-5 tie in the shootout, Intake Zerofour defeated Plumstead FC 3-2 in sudden death to win the title. The winning team received £1,800 and the runners-up £1,200. In the veterans’ category, Som Thapa was declared ‘Best Manager’, Nishant Gurung ‘Top Scorer’, and Sherjang Gurung ‘Player of the Match’.

In the women’s category, Tamang Society UK FC emerged victorious. Tamang Society won the title by defeating defending champions Roundbolt FC 3-0 in the final. The winning team received £600 and the runners-up £400 along with trophies. Suk Lama Tamang of Tamang Society was declared ‘Player of the Match’.

Coordinator Ghale informed that a total of 57 teams participated in the tournament, including 39 teams in the main category, 16 in the veterans’ category, and 2 in the women’s category. The matches, which began at 9 am, continued until approximately 8 pm.

Prizes were distributed to the winning and runner-up teams by Tamu Dhee UK Chairman Jumkaji Gurung, Mayor of Rushmoor Borough Council Councillor Calum Stewart, MP Alex Baker, and Military Attaché at the Nepali Embassy in London, Assistant Rathi Anup Shah, among others.

During the event, Tamu Dhee UK handed over £500 each in support to Rushmoor Borough Council and the Gurkha Welfare Trust. On the same occasion, the ‘Legend of Gurkha Cup’ honour was conferred upon Dennis Maharjan. Melissa Regmi, a player of Nepali origin playing under-15 football in Scotland, was also honoured.

The Gurkha Cup, which began in 1996 as a 7-a-side tournament, is now established as a 9-a-side competition. According to the organisers, this year’s tournament was watched by over 20,000 spectators. The Gurkha Cup, held in Britain, is regarded as the largest Nepali sports and community event outside Nepal.