Makwanpur District Football Association (MDFA) has signed sponsorship agreement with Bhugarba Cement in Kathmandu on Tuesday for the second edition of the Shahid Smriti Makwanpur Gold Cup football tournament.

The tournament will be held from March 13 to 23 at the Forestry grounds in Hetauda. MDFA President Tikaram Lama and Bhugarba Cement’s board of director Chairman Pitambar Gaire signed the memorandum of understanding on behalf of their institutions. The sponsors will provide Rs 1 million for the event and the tournament will be named as Bhugarba Shahid Smriti Gold Cup.

According to Lama, they were committed to hold at least one national level tournament in the district which could be helpful in players’ production. “The tournament will be helpful in motivating local players to take up the game,” he said. Gaire said they would come up with even better sponsorship agreement in coming years.

The knockout tournament will feature 10 teams including six ‘A’ Division outfits. Lama said Manang Marshyangdi Club, Three Star Club, Chyasal Youth Club, Saraswoti Club, Tribhuvan Army Club, Nepal Police Club, Nepal APF Club and Sankata Club will represent the top-tier teams in the tournament. Hosts Makawanpur XI, Nawa Jana Jagriti Club (Bara) will be among the district teams.

The winners will get Rs 800,000 and the runners-up will earn Rs 400,00. The best goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forward will get Rs 10,000 . The best player will receive Rs 50,000.