Boudha YC go through as Jawalakhel denied participation

Source: ekantipur.com

KATHMANDU, SEP 19 -
Jawalakhel Youth Club were denied participation in the San Miguel Knockout Football Championship scheduled to start from Monday at the Dashrath Stadium, said the All Nepal Football Association on Sunday.

The ANFA was forced to rule out the participation of JYC after the club failed to register their entry in the deadline set by the organisers. ANFA had set the registration deadline at 72 hours before the event.

As per the match schedule, JYC were set to play the opening game of the event against Boudha Youth Club. Jawalakhel's disqualification means Boudha gain a direct entry into the quarterfinals of the event where they will face Nepal Police Club.

After Jawalakhel's banning, the ANFA prepared a new schedule in which New Road Team (NRT) play Rani Pokhari Corner Team in the opening game on Tuesday.

"We sent formal invitations to the clubs about the championship a month ago but Jawalakhel could not complete the registration process on time. We will not let anybody go against the rules," said ANFA President Ganesh Thapa. On the other hand, JYC General Secretary argued this problem would not have surfaced had the ANFA drawn the tie sheet a week ago. Jawalakhel completed the registration only on Sunday.

Winner to bag Rs. 200,000 The event has a total prize money of Rs. 300,000, out of which the winner will pocket Rs. 200,000 while the runner-up will have to be content with Rs. 100,000, said ANFA General Secretary Dhirendra Pradhan. The event is being organised at a total budget of Rs. 1.1 million with almost half of the amount being paid by main sponsor San Miguel.

After Jawalakhel's disqualification from the event, the tournament will be contested by 11 teams, out of which five are top flight teams from Kathmandu.

Some of the major teams include Nepal Police Club, NRT, RCT, Manang Marshyagndi, Three Star, Armed Police Force, Bansbari, Tribhuwan Army, Himalayan Sherpa and Friend Clubs.

The tiesheet has been designed in such a manner that all the five top flight teams will move directly to the quarterfinals.