Jawalakhel Youth Club and Sahara Club Clash in Aaha Rara Pokhara Gold Cup Final

Kaski. The Aaha Rara Pokhara Gold Cup is the oldest football tournament in the region outside the capital. This tournament has never been halted in any year, even during adverse conditions such as the Maoist insurgency, the earthquake, and the blockade. The final match of the 25th edition of the tournament is taking place on Saturday at the Pokhara Stadium.

Jawalakhel Youth Club and the host Sahara Club Pokhara are set to face each other for the title. Unlike in previous years, familiar teams like Manang Marshyangdi and Police Club, who have won the title multiple times, are not in this year's final.

While Jawalakhel is searching for its first Aaha Rara title, the home team Sahara has the opportunity to keep the trophy at home after 12 years. There is a Nepali proverb that says, 'The stream turns back after 12 years.' Sahara will aim to turn that stream back by winning the title tomorrow. Sahara has played in the final four times, winning the title only in 2070 BS. Sahara was defeated by Three Star in the 2069 BS final and by Manang in the 2072 BS final.

Jawalakhel, on the other hand, is reaching the final of the Aaha Rara for the second time. This team reached the final in 2068 BS but was defeated by Manang in the title clash. Jawalakhel, which has participated in most editions since then, has not had the chance to play the final. Jawalakhel aims to create a new history in Pokhara by winning the title.

Jawalakhel reached the final after defeating Machhindra Club 2-0 in the pre-quarterfinals, APF Church Boys United 3-0 in the quarterfinals, and the foreign team Aba FC from Uzbekistan 1-0 in the semifinals.

Sahara reached the final after defeating Gorkha International Football Club Hong Kong 1-0 in the pre-quarterfinals, Nepal Police Club 6-5 in a sudden death in the quarterfinals, and Manang Marshyangdi Club 7-6 in a sudden death in the semifinals.

Jawalakhel's coach Sunil Kumar Shrestha shared his plan to create history by winning the title on the Pokhara ground. "We have not won the title in Pokhara; we will realize that dream by playing good football tomorrow," Shrestha said. Jawalakhel's strategy will be to play attacking football and score early. Captain Unesh Chaudhary said that the Jawalakhel players will enter the final match with high morale after defeating Aba FC from Uzbekistan in the semifinals.

Sahara's coach Sunil Rana shared his goal of lifting the trophy and repeating history, as they will have the support of the home ground and spectators. "We will make the home supporters happy. We plan to keep the title at home after twelve years, and we will play good football," Rana said.

Sahara's captain Sushil Lama claimed that the team is in high morale and form, ensuring they will win the title. "The team is in high morale and rhythm. We will win the final," Lama said. Lama, who is also a product of the Sahara Academy, is optimistic about lifting the title as captain this time.

The organizing Sahara Club stated that the champion team of the 25th edition, which started on Magh 27, will receive Rs 1,401,000 along with the trophy, medals, and certificates, while the runner-up team will receive Rs 701,000 along with the trophy and medals. Furthermore, the best player will receive a scooter, while five other category winners will receive Rs 25,000 each and a trophy.