A great day at the Brigade Bhela 2026
The Brigade of Gurkhas Bhela on 4 July 2026 brought together serving personnel, veterans, families, and the wider community on Queen’s Avenue, Aldershot, for a lively day of sport and celebration.
Sporting highlights included the Kathmandu Veterans’ Football Match, the Gurkha Ladies Volleyball Competition, and the Nepal Cup final.
Nepal Cup
The First Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles secured the Nepal Cup, defeating Queen’s Gurkha Signals with a decisive late goal to claim a 1–0 victory. With the match finely balanced and seemingly heading towards penalties, the breakthrough in the closing minutes sealed a memorable win. The trophy and the winners’ medals were presented by Gurkha Veteran, Captain (QGO) Birbahadur Thapa (6 Gurkha Rifles). Who appeared in five Nepal Cup Finals in the 1960s. A true legend of the Nepal Cup.
Kathmandu Cup
the Royal Gurkha Rifles veterans team delivered a disciplined and impressive campaign to lift the Kathmandu Cup, demonstrating teamwork and exemplary sportsmanship throughout. They beat the team from The Queen’s Gurkha Engineers.
Ladies Volleyball
The Gurkha Allied Rapid Reaction Corps Support Battalion once again took victory in a hard‑fought Ladies volleyball final, cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd. The competition proved extremely popular with spectators, whose enthusiastic support added significantly to the atmosphere and energy of the day.
Arena Displays
Recruit Intake 26 impressed spectators with a dynamic Taekwondo and Khukuri display, earning a thunderous applause.
The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas added ceremonial distinction with two excellent marching performances.
Community and Engagement
Community groups, business stalls, the Gurkha Welfare Trust, and the Gurkha Museum contributed to a vibrant atmosphere.
1 RGR hosted a weapon display, while Gurkha associations created welcoming tented areas across the venue.
BFBS Gurkha and Forces News broadcast the Nepal Cup final worldwide, enabling families in Nepal, Brunei, and deployed personnel to watch live.
Acknowledgements
Sincere thanks go to HQ Brigade of Gurkhas and all support staff whose hard work ensured the success of the 2026 Bhela.
