Team Maldives arrives in Nepal for U-20 SAFF Championship

KATHMANDU: The Maldivian football team arrived today in Kathmandu to compete in the U-20 SAFF Championship Football Tournament.

The tournament, which features teams from South Asia, will be held on home ground in Nepal.

Officials from the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) welcomed the Maldives team at Tribhuvan International Airport.

The SAFF Championship is set to begin on August 18.

The teams are divided into two groups: Group ‘A’ includes Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, while Group ‘B’ comprises India, Maldives, and Bhutan.

The opening match will feature hosts Nepal against Sri Lanka.

The Bhutanese, Indian, and Sri Lankan teams are expected to arrive in Nepal tomorrow, with the Bangladesh team scheduled to arrive on August 17, according to ANFA.

The Nepali team for the tournament includes Jiarath Shekh, Krishal Moktan, Bishal KC, Simanta Thapa, Aswin Ghorasaini, Bikram Tamang, Ayush Timilsina, Avinash Syangtan, Jana Prakash Bom, Lakshu Thapa, and Madan Poudel. Additionally, Ram Thapa, Samin Ghimire, Saroj Darlami, Ninsang Limboo, Kushal Deuba, Niraj Karki, Harish Raj Bhatta, Dharmendra Kunwar, Anil Bamjan, Samir Tamang, Nirajan Dhami, and Rohan Khadgi will also be part of the Nepali lineup.