Defending Champions African United Club will arrive in Pokhara to win the 5th Aaha Gold Cup for the second consecutive time but departmental teams; Mahendra Police Club and Tribhuwan Army Club, won't take part in the competition, Sahara Club confirmed at the press meet organized on Thursday in Pokhara.

African United Club that won the title last year beating MPC 2-0 have new faces this time who have to face challenges from Nabil Three Star Club and Manang Marshyangdi Club to win the title. Similarly, the new team Sahara UK Nepalese Football Academy came from United Kingdom to add more challenge in the tournament.

Hosts Sahara, Dharan Football Club, Rupendehi XI, Armed Police Force and Himalayan Sherpa Club, club owned by ANFA Vice President Karma Tsering Sherpa have already confirmed their participation, Sahara Club president Bikram Thapa informed at press meet. NIBL FC filled the remaining club quota. Interestingly, MMC and NIBL FC or MEFC will go Pokhara to play the quarterfinal and will come back to Kathmandu to play league game and will go back Pokhara again if they win quarterfinal tie.

Due to the hic-cup-faced Kathmandu based league, the fixtures of the competition was totally changed as ANFA changed the league fixtures citing technical reasons.
Him Shree Foods is the main sponsor of the tournament while San Miguel and Coca Cola are the Co-sponsors of the prestigious tournament.

Bamboo made parapet!!
The Organizer have added new flavor this time for the Pokhreli spectator making the bamboo-made-parapet to enjoy the football matches. Earlier, the spectators were forced to sit in the grassland. "It costs around one hundred thousands Nepalese rupees to complete the bamboo-made-parapet", Sahara President Bikram Thakali told journalists.

Increase in Prize money!!
Sahara Club also increased the prize money from 75,000 to 1,00,000 Nrs. The runner up will grab 50,000 Rs.

A-11-day tournament will feature Adidas MOM each day, 20,000 cash to Best Player and 15,000 cash to highest goal scorer.