24th Gurkha Cup Held in Aldershot Amidst Sunny Weather

Kathmandu. London's temperature, which had dropped to 1 degree Celsius a week ago, exceeded 30 degrees on Sunday. For the British people who have been enduring winter, hail, rain, and adverse weather for nearly seven months, Sunday's sunshine made the past cold weather feel like a dream. 

On that sunny day, the 24th edition of the Gurkha Cup, known as the biggest event for the Nepali community in Britain, was grandly held at Queens Avenue ground in Aldershot.

Queens Avenue ground, located in the Aldershot military area, is one of Britain's historic sports grounds. Spread over approximately 89 acres, this ground has been used for British army sports, training, and military activities. This vast venue, with five football fields, four six-a-side fields, and four rugby fields, was filled with the enthusiasm, sportsmanship, and cultural identity of the Nepali community on Sunday.

Media coordinator SK Gurung informed that 20,000 spectators attended the 24th Gurkha Cup organized by Tamudhi UK. Gurung stated that the participation increased by four thousand this year compared to last year. The Gurkha Cup was not limited to just a football competition. Around the ground, there were 126 stalls including Nepali and other cuisines, charity, ice cream, cake, bubble tea, clothing, a fun fair for children, and various businesses run by Nepalis.

The competition, which started at 9 am, had more teams participating this year than last year. A total of 56 teams competed: 38 in the main category, 16 in veterans, and 2 in women's.

Rangbhang Samaj UK emerged as the winner in the main men's category. In the final, Rangbhang Samaj defeated Guruji Elite FC by 2-0 goals to lift the title. The winning Rangbhang Samaj UK received 3,500 pounds in cash, a shield, a trophy, and a certificate. Runner-up Guruji Elite FC received 2,000 pounds, a trophy, and a certificate.

Sam Gurung of Rangbhang Samaj UK was declared the Best Manager in the main category. Eniola Alamu of Nepjum FC became the top scorer, while Nwang Sherpa of Rangbhang Samaj UK was declared the Player of the Match.

In the veterans' category, FC 04 became the winner and Plumstead FC the runner-up. The veterans' winner received 1,800 pounds and the runner-up received 1,200 pounds. In the veterans' category, Som Thapa of FC 04 was declared the Best Manager, Nishant Gurung of the same team was the top scorer, and Sherjang Thapa was the Player of the Match.

In the women's category, Tamang Samaj FC became the winner and Roundbolt FC the runner-up. The women's winner received 600 pounds and the runner-up received 400 pounds. Suk Lamu Tamang, a player from Tamang Samaj UK, was declared the Player of the Match in the women's category.

The prizes were awarded to the winning players and teams by the chief guest, Mayor of Runnymede Borough Council, Callum Stewart, Tamudhi UK President Jumkaji Gurung, Himalayan Jet's Dipendra Gurung, NRNA Central President Dr. Hemraj Sharma, and Military Attaché of the Nepali Embassy Brigadier General Anup Shah, among others.

Speaking before the final match, Mayor Callum Stewart of Runnymede Borough Council congratulated the organizers of the Gurkha Cup. He stated that such an event helps promote local businesses and strengthen integration among communities.

Tamudhi UK President Jumkaji Gurung expressed gratitude to everyone who helped make the Gurkha Cup grand. He mentioned that this event has become a shared program for the Nepali community in Britain and that such a large event would not be possible without everyone's support and ownership.

Program coordinator and Sports Secretary Captain Deepak Ghale delivered the welcome speech, expressing gratitude to the supporters, volunteers, players, sponsors, and spectators.

The organizers stated that the office bearers of Tamudhi UK, the mothers' group, volunteers, and various coordinators played an important role in making the program successful. The organizers specifically mentioned the active contributions of Senior Vice President Parshu Gurung, Vice President Kamal Gurung, Mothers' Group, Vice President Dilmaya Gurung, Treasurer Arun Gurung, Media Coordinator SK Gurung, and Health and Safety Coordinator Captain Deb Bahadur Ghale.

The formal program was conducted by General Secretary Dr. Bishal Gurung, and the prize distribution program was conducted by Secretary Bimal Gurung.

At the program, Tamudhi UK honored the Mayor for Runnymede Borough Council with 500 pounds, Colonel BG of the Gurkha Welfare Trust with 500 pounds, Scottish National Under-15 Football Player Melissa Regmi, and Legend of Gurkha Cup winner Denis Maharjan with cash prizes.

The formal program was attended by Military Attaché of the Nepali Embassy Brigadier General Anup Shah, Aldershot Garrison Commander Lieutenant Colonel Macpherson, Colonel Robinson of the Brigade of Gurkhas, Scottish National Under-15 Football Player Melissa Regmi, and Himalayan Jet Director Dipendra Gurung, among others.

The first prize was sponsored by Himalayan Jet. Other sponsors included: Mom King Swindon, Mom Station Aldershot, Pokhara Restaurant London, IME London, Solti's Kitchen Bulford, Hampshire Accounting, NepBridges, TrueX, Lieutenant Colonel Bill Withers, and Paperwork Solutions. Secretary Bimal Gurung presented the list of sponsors and expressed thanks.

Children from Sayapatri Cultural Group presented attractive dances at the program. Along with football, Nepali food, attire, dance, music, and community gatherings have established the Gurkha Cup as a major festival reflecting Nepali identity in Britain.

The main objectives of the Gurkha Cup are to develop sports among Nepali youth, facilitate gatherings, reduce drug abuse, coordinate with the local community, and promote community support, according to the organizers. Tamudhi UK had stated that the expenditure for this year's Gurkha Cup would be over 350,650 pounds. However, the exact details of the actual expenditure have not been made public.

Tamudhi UK is a leading Nepali social organization in Britain, established in January 2000 following the success of its 1998 football competition and 2000 Lhosar festival. The organization, established with the aim of protecting the welfare of its members, Tamu culture and traditions, and uniting the entire Nepali community in Britain, officially registered as a charity on August 3, 2007.

The organization organizes major events every year such as the Gurkha Cup, Nepali Mela, and Lhosar festival. Nepali Mela is another major program of Tamudhi UK, known as an event that gives a glimpse of 'Mini Nepal' in Britain.

The Gurkha Cup is no longer just Tamudhi UK's program. It has become a shared festival for the Nepali community in Britain, a platform for sports, a bridge between generations, a display of cultural identity, and a symbol of community unity.

The crowd, enthusiasm, and ownership seen at Queens Avenue ground on Sunday once again proved that even while living abroad, the Nepali community is strongly preserving its language, culture, love for sports, and collective spirit.