The fifth edition of the Parwanipur Gold Cup kicked off with a display of absolute dominance by the hosts, Shakti Youth Club. Playing at the Parwanipur grounds on Saturday, the home team secured a massive 5-0 victory against India’s Young Star Club, Bihar, setting an aggressive tone for the week-long tournament.
Captain Sandeep Yadav emerged as the architect of the win, finding the net as early as the third minute. He doubled the lead in the 7th minute, leaving the Bihar-based side struggling under constant pressure. The hosts maintained their two-goal cushion until the break, only to intensify their assault in the second half.
The scoring resumed in the 53rd minute through Ashish Thing, followed by captain Sandeep Yadav completing his hat-trick in the 62nd minute. Just two minutes later, Sandeep Chhetri added a fifth goal to seal the victory. For his outstanding performance, captain Sandeep Yadav was awarded the 'Man of the Match' title along with a cash prize of Rs 2,100.
The tournament, which carries a total budget of approximately 1.7 million rupees, was officially inaugurated by Ramkshatri Prasad Kurmi, Chairman of Parwanipur Rural Municipality. He pledged continued support for local sporting initiatives during the ceremony presided over by club president Subodh Shrivastava.
A total of eight teams, including seven from Nepal and one from India, are competing for the top prize of 2 lakh rupees. Upcoming fixtures include a clash between Nijgadh Football Club and Birgunj Youth Academy. The championship concludes on Baisakh 12, with individual honors also slated for the best defender, forward, and player of the tournament.
