Madan Bhandari International Football from Jan 23

Published On: September 15, 2018 08:41 AM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, Sept 15: Madan Bhandari Sports Academy is set to organize the 2019 Madan Bhandari International Football Tournament from January 23 next year.

The tournament, which will run until February 2, is going to be the first to be played at the Dasarath Stadium since the Earthquake destroyed the stadium in 2015.

The academy is organizing the first international tournament after the stadium, which is being reconstructed, was destroyed by the earthquake three years ago. No tournaments have been organized after that in the stadium.

Two Nepali teams (Red and Blue), South Korea, Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Thailand and China will participate in the tournament, said the organizers.

The member of the organizing committee and the chair of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) Tashi Ghale requested the participating teams to bring the national teams, if possible, or the U-23 teams, if not.

“After the earthquake, the stadium is in a dilapidated condition. The reconstruction work is underway,’’ Ghale said. “This tournament is making an environment for foreign teams to come to Nepal and play here. We are hopeful that the reconstruction of the stadium will be expedited in the days to come.’’

The president of the academy and the organizing committee Binod Bhandari informed that the matches will be played in the stipulated time as it is being reconstructed now. He said the stadium will be ready to organize the tournament.

“We have discussed the matter with the member secretary of the National Sports Council (NSC) many a time. He has committed to make the stadium ready after Dashain,’’ said Bhandari.

“We have insisted to the concerned bodies in organizing the tournament at the Dasarath Stadium and we are determined to hold the tournament at the stadium,’’ he added.

The winner of the tournament will take home Rs 2.8 million, while the runner-up will be rewarded with Rs 1.1 million. Similarly, the best goalkeeper, the best defender, the best midfielder, the best forward and the best coach will receive Rs 114,915 each, informed the organizers.

The organizers also informed that the total expenses to organize the tournament is estimated to be 15 million.