KATHMANDU, Feb 13: The government has honored the victorious Nepali National Football Team that clinched the title of AFC Solidarity Cup held in Malaysia from November 2 to 15.
Amidst a special ceremony held at the Prime Ministers residence in Baluwatar on Monday, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda honored the footballers with the cash prize. The 23 football team members and Head Coach received Rs 300,000 each, assistant coach received Rs 200,000 and other officials were honored with Rs 50,000 each.
Addressing the function, PM Dahal said that sports will help to unite the country.
“Your victory has dignified the country and united it. The unity among you will inspire us to convert the disputes and ups and downs in politics to accord and unity. We are in a course of achieving economic prosperity by implementing the constitution. You victory will inspire us further,” he said.
Saying that the culture of announcing awards to players, but not providing to them should come to an end, the Prime Minister said, “The government had announced to provide cash rewards to the players after they clinched the title. I was aware and concerned to make sure that the governments decision is implemented. I do accept that there has been some delay owing to various reasons.”
Also speaking National Football Team Captain, Anil Gurung remarked that the honor by the government has further inspired them to devote their life to make the country more pride by winning other international championships.

Also present on the occasion were Minister for Youth and Sports, Daljit Shreepaili , Secretary at the Ministry for Youth and Sports, Mahesh Prasad Dahal and Member Secretary of National Sports Council (NSC), Keshav Bahadur Bista among others.