Kathmandu Club made the announcement on Sunday at the Dasharath Stadium, Tripureshwar. The nine-member team consists of eight players and a coach. Three Star Club´s coach Pradeep Humagain will accompany the team as the coach. Humagain had also led the Kathmandu University High School (KUHS) team that participated in the previous edition of the tournament.
Presita Baskota is the captain and Shrawana Shrestha is the vice-captain of the team. The two were also part of the KUHS team that competed in the last edition of the Norway Cup. None of the players are professionals. Pradipti Acharya, Sanjina Jangam, Sujata Thapa, Sabina Mahat and Sapana Timalsina are the other members of the squad. The draw for the tournament will be made on July 26. [break]
Humagain, who guided Three Star to league title, will also participate in a nine-day match analysis course at the Youth University in Norway.
"Though we are not professional footballers we are passionate about football," said skipper Baskota. Sharing her experience in the last edition, Baskota said more than 100 teams will be competing in the tournament. "The event will also provide opportunities to learn about new cultures," she added.
Kathmandu Club, relegated to C division in 2069 BS, however, will not bear the expenses of the players. "The players have paid for their travel expenses and Qatar Airways has provided discounts on airfare," Kathmandu Club´s President Sanjiv Mishra said.
"Getting an opportunity to play in Europe itself will be vital for the promotion of Nepali football at the international arena. I wish to see other clubs take their teams in future," said Mishra, who is also the development director at All Nepal Football Association (ANFA). Mishra also informed that football portal goalnepal.com has sponsored jerseys for the tournament.
Coach Humagain thanked the club for taking initiative to compete in the tournament. Humagain who participated in three coaching courses of AFC -- grassroots course, C license coaching course and B license coaching course -- expressed hope that the nine-day course would be helpful for Nepali football.
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