By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu – Nepal’s U-19 women’s football team led by Captain Anjana Rana Magar is all set to compete in the U-19 SAFF Championship. Rana Magar is also the team’s goalkeeper.
The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) bade farewell to the team amid a formal programme organized at the ANFA Complex, Satdobato. The U-19 squad is heading to Bangladesh on Tuesday.
Newly-appointed Member Secretary of the National Sports Council (NSC) Tanka Lal Ghising, ANFA President Karma Chiring Sherpa, Senior Vice President Pankaj Bikram Nembang among others were present during the farewell.
On Sunday, ANFA had announced a 23-member squad for the championship to be held in Dhaka from December 11 to 22. The U-19 team has been training at the ANFA Complex under the guidance of coach Hari Om Shrestha since the last three weeks. ANFA had picked up players for the squad on the basis of their performance during the Deputy Mayor Cup. A total of 40 players were selected in the first round. ANFA later announced the final squad after shortlisting the players selected in the first round.
Besides Rana Magar, the team announced on Sunday includes other experienced players such as defender Bimala BK, midfielder Priti Rai, forward Rashmi Kumari Ghising, Sabita Rana Magar and Rajani Thoker who have already featured in the national squad. Other players of the team include those from the previous U-19 and U-16 squads.
Nepal will face Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Bhutan in the round robin league. The top two teams will make it to the final.
23-Member Squad:
Anjana Rana Magar, Sabitri Kisan, Ankita Rai, Saloni Rana Magar, Sabita Chaudhary, Manju Kumari Khadka, Hima Rawat, Pratikshya Chaudhary, Sushma Tamang, Rojina Shrestha, Rajani Thoker, Bimala BK, Rashmi Kumari Ghising, Sadipa Bholan, Chandra Bhandari, Khushma Rai, Deepa Shahi, Kusum Khatiwada, Sabitra Rana Magar, Saraswati Hamal, Priti Rai, Amisha Karki, Menuka Kumari Ale Magar.
