The 16th edition of the Itahari Gold Cup football tournament will be held at night, organisers said on Wednesday.

Organised by the Rastriyta Jagriti Club, the tournament will run from April 13 to April 20. The competition will feature eight Nepali teams along with two foreign sides.

This is not the first time the event has been held at night. The 14th edition was also staged under floodlights, while the 15th edition was conducted during the day.

Floodlights were installed three years ago on the eastern and western sides of the Itahari Stadium. The Koshi Province Sports Development Board provided Rs8million for the installation. However, as no further funding has been allocated since, organisers said temporary lighting will be arranged for the remaining areas.

The week-long tournament will award Rs1 million to the winners and Rs500,000 to the runners-up. The top scorer will receive Rs25,000, coordinator Anurodh Thapa said. The best player will be awarded Rs100,000. Outstanding players in different categories will receive Rs20,000 each, while the man of the match will get Rs10,000.

Held in coordination with Itahari Sub-metropolitan City, the tournament is expected to cost Rs8.85 million, according to club president Keshav Karki. The local government has allocated Rs1.8 million, while Rs2.5 million is expected from sponsors and ticket sales.

The opening match on April 13 will be played between Nigeria’s Just John FC and Yuwa Samaj Sundarharaicha. The second match on April 14 will feature Machhindra FC of Kathmandu against Jhapa-11 FC.

On April 15, Itahari-based Rastriya Jagriti Club will face Satdobato Youth Club of Lalitpur, followed by a match on April 16 between Planning Boys FC of Kathmandu and United Kurseong FC of India.

Winners of the first round will compete in the semi-finals on April 17 and April 18. The final match is scheduled for April 20, organisers said.