Pm Inaugurates biggest ever football event

Kathmandu, March 8

Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai inaugurated the AFC Challenge Cup, the biggest ever football event held in Nepal, in the presence of world football governing body International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) President Joseph Sepp Blatter amidst a special function held at Dasarath Stadium on Thursday.

PM Bhattarai announced the opening of the Championship at the formal request of FIFA President Blatter.

Addressing the inaugural session, PM underscored the importance of the sports on building the kinship among the people.

Referring the players as the ambassadors of the nations, Bhattarai highlighted their role in the international level. "Players are also the ambassadors of the nation. They have very significant role in nurturing the fraternity in international level."

He also urged the stakeholders related to political and economic sectors to learn from the team work in the football game. He said that Nepal have enormous opportunities from the sports sector.

"Sports here is gradually progressing. Government is full supportive in the development of the sports," PM Bhattarai added.

Bhattarai, in all praise of FIFA President, said that his presence will boost the sports in Nepal.

FIFA Presidnet Blatter in his inaugurual speech said that the day had been the important one in the history of Nepal’s football. "This tournament has not only brought the teams together but also the political players in one place. Football have no borders", Blatter said.

He added that the football is just not the game but also the education, emotion, passion, fair play and discipline and respect. Highlighting the football’s role, FIFA President took the chance to launch the women’s empowerment campaign through football-Our goal:Stop violence against women.’

The campaign has been organised by AFC, All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) and Saathi, a non-governmental organisation working for violence against women in Nepal.
The opening of the eight-nation competition coincided with the International Women’s Day and the tournament is used as a platform to promote the campaign.

The AFC Challenge Cup participating teams pledged their support to stop domestic violence while children from Saathi’s sheltered homes will be escorting the players before the start of every match.
Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Acting President Zhang Jilong also addressed the ceremony saying that he will be expecting good team in the Asia Cup 2015 in Australia. The winner of the Championship will qualify for the Asian Cup.

ANFA President Ganesh Thapa in his welcome speech said that the event is the most memorable moments in the nation’s football history. "There were doubt regarding the organization of the event but today that has been cleared. Moreover, we are excited from the presence of the FIFA President and AFC President."

Along with PM Bhattarai, Minister for Youth and Sports Kamala Rokka, UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala, UML senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal, House Speaker Subash Nembang, Congress Vice President Ram Chandra Poudel, UML Leader KP Sharma Oli, Bam Dev Gautam, Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal Chairman Kamal Thapa among other notable figures were present at the inaugural function.