KATHMANDU: Nepal is to stage South Asia’s biggest football tournament in September that will see eight nations from the region competing, organisers said yesterday.
India, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Nepal will take part in the 11-day annual South Asian Football Federation Championship.
“This is the biggest (football) tournament we have organised in Nepal,” said Indra Man Tuladhar from the All Nepal Football Association.
The competition will kick off on September 1 in the 18,000-capacity Dasharath Rangashala stadium in Kathmandu, which is being specially renovated.
The winning team will take home $50,000 while the runners up will receive $25,000.
Cricket-mad South Asia countries are mostly international minnows, with Afghanistan the highest ranked nation at 140 and India even lower at 147, according to the rankings released by the world governing body FIFA.
Last year’s South Asia Championship was organised in the Indian capital with the hosts emerging with the trophy.
Nepal held the first Championship in 1997.
Nepal who have never qualified for the World Cup final, appointed Polish-born American Jack Stefanowski as their coach in January 2013. AFP
