KATHMANDU: Nepal men's football team that won the gold medal in the 12th South Asian Games received a hero's welcome while they returned home on Wednesday.

Thousands of football fans thronged the Tribhuvan International Airport to welcome the U-23 footballers who had repeated the history by winning the gold in the regional football competition after 23 years.

The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) had organised a victory rally to welcome the team.

Victorious Nepal football team being welcomed in Kakadbhitta of Jhapa on Wednesday, February 17, 2016. Photo: RSS

The rally had commenced from the TIA and passed through Gaushala, Ratopul, Gyaneshwor, Kamalpokhari, Putalisadak, Padmodaya Mode, Bhadrakali, Sundhara, New Road Gate, Bir Hospital, Kaiser Mahal, Narayanhiti Museum South Gate, and Sahid Gate. It had converged into a function at the Dasharath Stadium, Tripureshwor.

Nepal had defeated hosts India in the finals to bag the gold medal after 23 years on Monday.

The victory has brought a rare burst of good news to the country at a time when the nation had just passed through rough times due to blockade allegedly imposed by India.

The players had come to Bhadrapur of Jhapa along the land route via Kakadbhitta Nepal-India border and taken a flight to Kathmandu-based Tribhuvan International Airport from the Bhadrapur Airport.

Locals of Kakadhbitta and other parts of Jhapa district welcomed them with a victory parade, according to the Rastriya Samachar Samiti.