Kathmandu, December 19

Integrated Mobility Solutions (IMS) Group, authorised distributor of Samsung mobiles in Nepal, today felicitated the national football team that won the AFC Solidarity Cup in Malaysia last month.

Nepal had defeated Macau 1-0 in the final match in Kuching to win the maiden title of the tournament organised by the Asian Football Confederation, riding on the solitary goal from Sujal Shrestha. Honorary President of the All Nepal Football Association Tashi Ghale — who was in Malaysia to cheer the team in the final match — had announced to reward the team members with a mobile set each after the achievement.

IMS Group President and Chief Executive Officer Dikesh Malhotra and Ghale handed over the Samsung Galaxy J5 mobile set worth Rs 17,900 each to 23 players, two coaches, manager and physiotherapist amidst a programme today. Goalkeepers, Bikesh Kuthu, Bishal Shrestha and Kiran Kumar Limbu, defenders Rabin Shrestha, Biraj Maharjan, Ananta Tamang, Deepak Gurung, Aditya Chaudhary, Kamal Shrestha, Devendra Tamang and Ranjit Dhimal, midfielders Bishal Rai, Heman Gurung, Bikram Lama, Anjan Bista, Sujal Shrestha and Rajendra Rawal and forwards Bharat Khawas, Nawayug Shrestha, Suman Lama, Anil Gurung, Ranjan Bista and Bimal Gharti Magar were the team members of the squad. Raju Kaji Shakya and Ujjwal Manadhar were assistant coaches, while Birat Jung Shahi was the team manager and Suraj Bhusal was physiotherapist.

Vice-captain Biraj Maharjan said such felicitations would encourage the players to perform better in coming days. “This honour is a morale-booster for us and we are determined to put good efforts in upcoming tournaments as well,” said Maharjan. Similarly, coach Shakya said such events would support the team for better results. “We have won a couple of titles recently and are determined to win the SAFF Championship,” added Shakya. ANFA Honorary President Ghale said the support of private sector would motivate the players to win more success.

Meanwhile, Ghale said the ANFA officials needed to be more responsible indicating towards the error of the football governing body that deprived Ruslan Three Star Club of participating in the AFC Cup play-off round. “The incident is a big setback for Nepali football and the officials who are responsible should be punished. And Three Star Club should be provided with adequate compensation,” said Ghale. The government and ANFA have announced separate rewards of Rs 300,000 each to the members of the team but they are yet to felicitate the players.