Nepal set for President's Cup

by Bernard Perera in Nepal Kathmandu - Tuesday

The Nepalese Capital is a hive of activity with All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) busy finalising arrangements for Asian Football Federation President's Cup which begins today 4 May at Dasrath Studies in Kathmandu.

The hosts take on Chinese Taipei in the opening game in the presence of Crown Prince Paras who is expected to be the chief guest at the opening ceremony at 4.00 p.m. The Prince who has taken a keen interest in staging this major event in Nepal personally inspected the venue on Monday night around 8 p.m. along with Princess Himani.

Sri Lankan which arrived in Kathmandu on Monday was received by the ANFA officials. Lankan team looking confident were seen at practices yesterday morning with coach Upul Premalal, Lankans play their first game tomorrow against Pakistan at Dasrath Stadium at 4 p.m.

Indra said that AFC is fully satisfied. With the arrangements for the event. Ganesh Thapa, President of All Nepal Football Association said all the participating teams have arrived in Kathmandu and he requested all the co-operation needed for the championship from all participants. He also noted that this is the first occasion that ANFA is conducting a championship.

The eight teams are in two groups A & B. Sri Lanka is included in Group B along with Pakistan, Cambodia and Kyrgyzstan. Group A consist of Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Tajikistan.

The preliminary round fixtures are as follows.

May - 4 Nepal Vs C. Taipei, Tajikistan Vs Bhutan

May - 5 Cambodia Vs Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan Vs Sri Lanka

May - 6 Chines Taipei Vs Tajikistan, Bhutan Vs Nepal

May - 7 Pakistan Vs Cambodia, Sri Lanka Vs Kyrgyzstan

May - 8 Chinese Taipei Vs Bhutan, Nepal Vs Tajikistan

May - 9 Cambodia Vs Sri Lanka, Pakistan Vs Kyrgyzstan