By Sachit Subba • Football • Jul 21, 2026 14:16 PM • 90 views
BHARATPUR — Hanami Bharatpur Football Club (BFC) has officially announced the revival of the Chitwan Gold Cup, setting the third edition to run from September 12 to 19 (Bhadra 27 to Ashoj 3). The tournament returns to the sports scene after last year's unexpected hiatus forced by widespread Gen Z youth protests that swept across the country.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, BFC President Lal Singh Gurung assured that internal preparations are moving swiftly to ensure a smooth operation. Tournament coordinator Dhruba Bhusal revealed that this year's edition will feature eight participating teams, down from the ten-team roster fielded in the first two iterations. While the exact lineup of clubs remains under final review, organisers promise a fierce competitive slate at the Nepal Police School Training Centre grounds in Bharatpur.
Stakeholders have maintained the financial incentives at a high standard, offering a winner's purse of NPR 600,000 along with the championship trophy, while the runner-up will claim NPR 300,000. Individual excellence will also reap rewards: the Most Valuable Player of the tournament will take home NPR 20,000, specialised positional awardees will earn NPR 10,000 each, and every Player of the Match will receive NPR 5,000.
Alongside the operational updates, the host club unveiled a rebranded visual identity for the tournament. The newly launched logo and official mascot centre on Chitwan's pride—the One-Horned Rhinoceros—symbolising local strength and heritage as BFC aims to establish the event as a permanent fixture on the domestic football calendar.
The Chitwan Gold Cup carries a rich pedigree despite its brief history. Tribhuvan Army Football Club captured the inaugural crown, while Butwal Lumbini FC lifted the trophy in the second edition with a victory over Nepal Police Club. With internal logistics entering their final stages, local football enthusiasts eagerly await the formal announcement of the eight battle-ready squads.
