Bhadrapur, Jhapa: In a much-anticipated clash at the Om Sai Pathibhara Hospital First Inter-Municipal District Level Football tournament, Bhadrapur and Kachankawal played to an exciting draw, keeping the game open.

The match began with Bhadrapur taking an early lead through Niwang Limbu’s strike in the 17th minute. However, Kachankawal refused to back down and found their equalizer in the 69th minute thanks to Sugam Rai’s decisive goal.

With the score tied at 1-1, both teams pushed for a winner in the remaining minutes, but neither side could find the breakthrough. The draw leaves Kachankawal in second place in Group C and Bhadrapur in third.

Arjundhara Triumphs over Kamal, but Match Marred by Unsportsmanlike Conduct

In another Group D match, Arjundhara secured a crucial victory over Kamal Rural Municipality. However, the game was overshadowed by an unfortunate incident in the closing stages when Kamal’s players assaulted and injured chief referee Dik Bahadur Shrestha.

As a result of their unsportsmanlike behaviour, Kamal’s captain Lakshman Begha, goalkeeper Uttam Karki, and coach Chitraman Rai were red-carded and suspended from the competition. After receiving the red cards, Kamal refused to continue the match, walking off the field in protest.

Tournament Aims to Nurture Young Football Talent

The Om Sai Pathibhara Hospital First Inter-Municipal District Level Football Tournament, featuring 15 teams from 14 municipalities of Jhapa, aims to identify and nurture young football talent in the region.

The ultimate champion will walk away with a substantial cash prize, trophy, medal, and certificate, while the runner-up will also be rewarded for their efforts. Individual accolades will also be recognized, with cash prizes, trophies, and medals awarded for player of the match, best goalkeeper, best coach, top scorer, and budding player.

The tournament organizers have invested significant money into the competition, with an estimated expenditure of 80 lakh rupees. This investment highlights the importance of developing football talent in the region and the organizers’ commitment to promoting the sport.