Mayor Koirala Buys Gold Cup Season Ticket to End Free Pass Practice

Morang- Biratnagar Mayor Nagesh Koirala has purchased seasonal tickets for the upcoming Birat Gold Cup, starting from Chaitra 28, with the aim of discouraging the practice of free passes.

Koirala, who is also the patron of the tournament, said everyone should support the Birat Gold Cup—one of the province’s most prestigious sporting events—to help promote sports in the region.

Visiting the Gold Cup secretariat in Biratnagar on Monday, the mayor bought four seasonal tickets and urged residents and the wider sports community to contribute by purchasing tickets and attending matches.

He emphasized that the financial aspect is crucial for organizing such large-scale events, noting that conducting the tournament itself is a challenge in the current situation. However, he stressed that buying tickets and watching games would motivate both players and organizers, ultimately ensuring the event’s success.

Highlighting his continuous involvement in promoting sports, Koirala said purchasing tickets is a way to encourage athletes and strengthen the sporting culture. He also expressed pride in hosting participating teams, including clubs from India’s Jharkhand and Nepal’s A Division teams, as well as Morang champions.

The mayor added that enthusiastic crowd support in the stadium plays a vital role in boosting players’ morale and enhancing the overall experience.

During his visit, he also inspected the ongoing preparations at Sahid Maidan and urged ward chairpersons to support the tournament by buying tickets. He called on all residents to help preserve the pride of Biratnagar by supporting local football.

Organizers also expressed optimism that support from the provincial government, metropolitan city, football authorities, and spectators would be key to successfully hosting the tournament.

The Birat Gold Cup—now in its 32nd edition, continuing the legacy of the Mahendra Gold Cup—will feature eight teams. The winner will receive Rs 1.1 million, while the runner-up will get Rs 500,000.