APF Wins Chandragadhi Women’s Gold Cup After Hard-Fought Final
BHADRAPUR – APF Football Club won the Om Sai Pathibhara Hospital Chandragadhi Women’s Gold Cup by defeating Tribhuvan Army Football Club 1-0. The final was held at Bhadrapur, Jhapa. APF’s tactical discipline and experience stood out, reinforcing their status as a leading team in South Asian women’s football. APF received the trophy and a prize of 1.1 million rupees. The Army team earned 500,000 rupees as runners-up. The match was decided in the 72nd minute. APF captain Anita Basnet delivered a precise cross to Rashmi Kumari Ghising, who scored with a header. APF controlled possession, but the Army’s defence limited the score to one goal. The Army’s forwards could not create significant chances against APF’s strong defence.  APF players received most of the post-match awards. Saru Limbu was named Player of the Match. She received 11,000 rupees. Renuka Nagarkoti earned the Most Valuable Player award and 101,000 rupees. APF also won Best Goalkeeper (Anjana Rana Magar), Best Defender (Gita Rana), and the Golden Boot (Rashmi Kumari Ghising). Deepa Shahi of the Army and Sabnam Rai of the host club were the only non-APF awardees. The 10-day tournament began on April 17 (Baisakh 5). Teams included Bhutan’s Thimphu City FC and India’s Rani Laxmibai Sports Academy. Domestic clubs such as Nepal Police Club and Church Boys United also competed. The closing ceremony featured local dignitaries. Bhadrapur Mayor Ganesh Pokharel and Deepak Kumar Pokharel of Om Sai Pathibhara Hospital presented the trophies. The event highlighted the growing standard of women’s football in the region.
