In just 10 days, the Birtamod Jhapa Cup International Invitational Football Tournament will kick off, and preparations have entered their final stages.

Organized by the Jhapa 11 FC, the tournament is set to be a grand spectacle, with a temporary bamboo parapet designed to accommodate up to 10,000 spectators now fully constructed.

Club president Jal Kumar Gurung shared that all preparations are being carefully finalized to ensure the tournament is not only excellent but also sophisticated and grand in scale. The playing field, which has been meticulously restored, now boasts a pristine and impressive condition in a remarkably short period.

The tournament will take place at the Domalal Rajbanshi Stadium in Birtamod-3, starting on November 29. The stadium, widely regarded as one of the most attractive and high-quality sports venues in the country, has undergone thorough cleaning and restoration, including clearing weeds to bring it back to its original state. The organizing committee has worked diligently to preserve the field's allure, particularly for this special event hosted by Jhapa 11 FC on its "home ground."

This will be the second major knockout tournament hosted by Jhapa 11 FC since its establishment. The club previously initiated the Jhapa Gold Cup in 2072 BS, and now, the Birtamod Jhapa Cup will feature 10 teams, including a departmental team, A Division sides, renowned regional teams, and two or three clubs from India.

The winner of the tournament will receive a cash prize of Rs 1 million, a trophy, and a medal, while the runner-up will be awarded Rs 500,000, a trophy, and a medal. The final match is scheduled for Poush 8.

In addition to the main prizes, the competition will honor individual excellence, with awards for the emerging player, best goalkeeper, best defender, best midfielder, top scorer, and best coach—each receiving a cash prize of Rs 25,000. The player of the match in each game will also earn a Rs 10,000 cash prize.

President Gurung emphasized that the goal of this tournament is to elevate football standards in Jhapa and promote sports tourism in the region. The Jhapa Gold Cup, which Gurung also initiated, has been instrumental in these efforts, and the success of this tournament is expected to further boost the development of football in the area.

It’s worth noting that Jhapa 11 FC has a rich footballing history, having made a mark 11 years ago by defeating A Division clubs in their first appearance at the ANFA Cup in Kathmandu, where they emerged as champions.