Aaha! Gold Cup (Nepali: आहा ! गोल्ड कप āhā gōlḍ kap) is an annual international football tournament held in Pokhara, Nepal, and organized by the Sahara Club. It was formerly known as the Caravan Gold Cup, however due to sponsorship reasons it is currently known as the Aaha! Rara Gold Cup. It is considered a major football tournament in Nepal, and is therefore endorsed by ANFA Kaski, a district FA of the All Nepal Football Association.
 | |
| Founded | 2002 2003 (current format) |
|---|---|
| Region | Nepal |
| Number of teams | 12 |
| Current champions | TribhuvanArmyClu (1st title) |
| Most successful club(s) | Nepal Police Club Manang Marshyangdi Club (6 titles each) |
| Television broadcasters | Action Sports |
Background
editSahara Club (Pokhara) have been running a football academy for under-privileged children from the profit of the tournament and donations from various individuals and organisations. At present, there are 30 children at the academy
The major attraction of the cup is the involvement of major clubs of Nepal and some international clubs. The cup is recognized by ANFA and is included in its annual calendar. The tournament is conducted in a knockout format and 12 teams compete for the title. The tournament is the main event keeping the spirit of football alive in Nepal and handsomely rewards the clubs and players. It is also the longest sporting event to be held regularly. For the first time in history in 2019 there were only 10 club competing due to tight schedule of tournament all over Nepal and Date issue.[1]
On the 13th edition of the tournament, English non-league side Aldershot Town FC entered in the tournament, and thus became the first European (UEFA) club to compete in the tournament's history.[2]
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 19th edition of the tournament only featured 8 teams. The 20th edition was held with 1/3 of the spectators allowed by following Covid safety protocols.[3][4]
Previous winners
editTop performing clubs
edit| Club | Champions | Runners-Up |
|---|---|---|
| Nepal Police Club | 6 | 2 |
| Manang Marshyangdi Club | 6 | 6 |
| Three Star Club | 5 | 1 |
| Sahara Club (Pokhara) | 1 | 2 |
| Nepal A.P.F. Club | 1 | 1 |
| African United Club | 1 | 0 |
| Sankata Club | 1 | 0 |
| Nepal Army Club (formerly Tribhuwan Army Club) | 1 | 4 |
 Carlton Football Club |
0 | 1 |
| Friends Club | 0 | 1 |
| Jawalakhel Youth Club | 0 | 1 |
| African Roots Association | 0 | 1 |
External links
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-01-02. Retrieved 2010-01-23.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Aldershot Town youngsters jet out for trip of a lifetime to Nepal". getHampshire.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2015-02-06. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
- ^ "आहा ! फुटबलमा दर्शक". Eadarsha. Eadarsha. 12 April 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ "च्याम्पियन बन्दै संकटाले रच्यो इतिहास". goalnepal. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ "Aha Gold Cup to be kicked off as "2nd Aha Gold Cup for the brilliant future of Orphan & Helpless Children"". 2003-12-25. Archived from the original on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ^ "AUC clinches 8th Buddha Subba Gold Cup - Nepal News Daily". Archived from the original on 2011-07-12. Retrieved 2010-01-23.
- ^ "8th Aaha Gold Cup – 2066". Archived from the original on 2010-03-02. Retrieved 2010-03-16.
- ^ "GoalNepal.com - 10th Aaha Gold Cup 2012". Archived from the original on 2012-03-09.
- ^ "GoalNepal.com - 11th Aaha Gold Cup 2013". Archived from the original on 2013-01-23. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ^ "12th Aaha Rara Gold Cup 2014". Archived from the original on 2014-03-06. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ^ "GoalNepal.com - 14th Aaha! Rara Gold Cup". Archived from the original on 2016-01-23. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ^ "GoalNepal.com - 14th Aaha! Rara Gold Cup". Archived from the original on 2016-01-23. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ^ "16th Aaha! RARA Gold Cup". goalnepal.com. Retrieved 2018-03-30.
- ^ "Three Star defeat TAC, claim Aaha Rara Gold Cup crown". The Himalayan Times. 2 March 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2019.