Kathmandu, March 3:

Youth and Sports Ministry has released one million rupees for the PM Cup Football Tournament scheduled here at the Dasharath Stadium from March 5-15.

Republican Sports Federation of Nepal (RSFN) president Jayendra Bahadur Chand informed that the ministry had agreed to provide half of the total estimated budget for the tournament. Chand also said that the organisers, RSFN, is aiming to collect five million rupees from the tickets sale. Chand informed that Nepal Telecom, the chief sponsor, has provided Rs 500,000. The estimated budget of the tournament, which is being organised under the technical support from the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), is Rs 20 million.

The organisers have beefed up security for the Sri Lankan footballers following a brutal attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore, Pakistan, today. Sri Lanka, who are pitted in Group ‘A’ with Nepal ‘Blue’ and JW Team of Thailand, arrived here on Monday.

The Thai team will arrive on Thursday. “Considering the turn of the events in Pakistan, we have taken strict security measures,” said Chand. Nepal ‘Red’ are in Group ‘B’ along with Arambag Club of Bangladesh and the national team of Pakistan. Arambag will arrive on Wednesday while Pakistan are scheduled to reach here on Saturday.

ANFA named Kathmandu Club President Sanjeev Mishra the match commissioner of the tournament. Prime Minster Puspa Kamal Dahal is scheduled to inaugurate the six-team tournament, the organisers said. Sri Lanka will take on Nepal ‘Blue’ in the inaugural match on Thursday.