Nepal notches international championship after 23 years; PM congratulates winning team

Kathmandu / January 22: Nepal has won an international football title for the first time in 23 years after a resounding defeat of Bahrain in the final match of the Bangabandhu Gold Cup in Bangladesh.

The Nepali national team on Friday defeated Bahrain’s U-23 team 3-0 to win the much awaited Cup.

Nepal’s striker Bimal Gharti Magar opened the account just four minutes into the play netting a header from Anjan Bista from a seminal cross crafted by Biraj Maharjan.

The second goal came in the 87th minute from Bishal Rai who capitalized on a pass from Anjan Bista. Emerging striker Navayug Shrestha headed the final goal from a cross from Bimal Gharti Magar to seal the game in Nepal’s favour.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Friday congratulated the national football team of Nepal for the historic achievement in winning the Bangabandhu Gold Cup in Bangladesh and by ending a 23 years dearth of international title.

The PM has extended congratulation on behalf of Nepal Government and on his personal ground for the success in the U-23 international football tournament.

A statement issued by the PM’s Press Coordinator Chetan Adhikari expressed commitment from the government for continued support in promoting football.

Likewise, CPN (UML) Central Office Secretary Krishna Gopal Shrestha also issued a statement congratulating the Nepali team for the historic achievement.

Meanwhile, All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has announced a cash prize of Rs 500,000 to each of the players and officials of the winning team. Similarly, the National Sports Council has decided to award Rs. 200,000 to the winning team. RSS