Dashain Cup 2026 Concludes with Resounding Success in Austral
AUSTRAL, NSW The Austral Nepalese Community Club (ANCC) successfully hosted the 3rd edition of the annual Dashain Cup on Sunday, October 4, 2026, drawing hundreds of community members to Craik Park for a full day of sporting competition, cultural festivities, and family celebrations. Kicking off at 7:00 AM, the event was officially inaugurated and chaired by ANCC Club President Sunil Parajuli alongside Vice President Parash Bhattarai. Member for Leppington, **Nathan Hagarty** MP, joined as the Chief Guest to show his support for the local Nepalese community and celebrate the arrival of the Dashain festive season. The day’s proceedings were kept lively and engaging through the efforts of co-hosts **Sunny Bhusal** and **Krishna KC**. **Fierce Competition on the Pitch** The centerpiece of the day was an intense five-team inter-club football tournament featuring: * Selroti Strikers (Captained by Naresh GC) * Tika-Taalo (Captained by Yuvraj Lama) * Golden Jamara (Captained by Bikash Gurung) * Nava Durga (Captained by Sujan Karki) * Dashami Dominators (Captained by Sujit Tamang) After hard-fought matches across six fixtures, Selroti Strikers and Tika-Taalo clashed in a high-stakes final. A defensive stalemate was broken when Nirajan Shrestha of the Selroti Strikers scored a stunning strike - the lone goal of the match - securing the 2026 championship title for his side. The tournament concluded with the presentation of individual honors: * Player of the Tournament: Yuvraj Lama (Tika-Taalo) * Highest Goal Scorer: Yuvraj Lama (Tika-Taalo) * Best Goalkeeper: Roshan Palikhe (Tika-Taalo) Match control throughout the day was delivered by referee **Barshat Tamang**, **Sujan Shrestha**, and the officiating team, who maintained fair play across all six fixtures. **Community Sports, Traditional Games, and Charity Raffle** Beyond football, community members of all ages participated in traditional games and athletic races: * Ghaito Futaune: Binay Subedi claimed victory in the crowd-favorite traditional pot-breaking contest. * Kids 100m Sprint (Under 6): Ahil, Evan, and Rihaan sprinted to podium finishes. * Kids 100m Sprint (Under 12): Bivan and Rivan took top honors in their division. The Dashain Cup charity raffle, sponsored by **Rey Corporate Group** with prime meat supplied by **Kathmandu Butchery**, raised critical funds to support ongoing ANCC community initiatives. Community members purchased $10 tickets, with 100% of proceeds going directly to the club: * Khasi (Whole Goat) Winner: Saroj Pokhrel * Bhaley (Rooster) Winner: Sujit Tamang **Evening Celebrations** Festivities transitioned from the field into an evening celebration centered around a barbecue feast, with goat meat supplied and supported by Kathmandu Butchery. The day rounded out with music, dance, and karaoke sessions that ran until midnight, marking an energetic start to the 2026 Dashain festive period. **Acknowledgments & Sincere Thanks to Our Sponsors** ANCC extends its heartfelt appreciation to Chief Guest Nathan Hagarty MP, match officials Barshat Tamang, Sujan Shrestha, and the officiating team, as well as all volunteers, players, and supporters. The successful delivery of the Dashain Cup 2026 was made possible through the generous backing of the club and event partners: Club Sponsors * Title Sponsor: Rey Corporate Group * Platinum Sponsor: Vibes Mortgage & Finance * Silver Sponsors: * Epoxy Garden & Fencing * Top Shelf Coffee & Kitchen * The Guildford Espresso Digital Partners * Xenxcel * ANSports Event Sponsors * Multi-dynamic (Achut Neupane) * Delighted Tours & Travels * Jubi Collection Event photo Gallery available [here](https://australnepalese.org.au/gallery/3rd-dashain-cup-2026)