Kathmandu, October 31

New Road Team, with the grant of Asian Football Confederation, is constructing the mini football pitch — an artificial turf — here in Tarkeshwor Municipality, Balaju.

NRT acquired the land for lease for 10 years from Sacred Heart Higher Secondary School to construct the pitch. All Nepal Football Association had initiated to acquire the land on lease for the ‘A’ division outfit.

AFC, which is also providing aids to construct similar pitches in Makwanpur and Nawalparasi, provided the club with $100,000 to construct the mini pitch measuring 20mX40m. The pitch is expected to be completed within two months. ANFA had asked clubs and district football associations to apply for the project. However, the club or association needed to have land on lease for at least 10 years.

NRT President Deepak Harsha Bajracharya informed that the pitch would be used for training purpose only. He said that the NRT was constructing the pitch as per the AFC’s requirement for club licensing. “The pitch will also be used by the school, while the club will also give it on rent for other clubs. Our plan is to run football academy to produce youth footballers and prepare youth teams,” said Bajracharya.

Meanwhile, in the Ground Breaking Ceremony held at the construction site, National Sports Council Member Secretary Keshab Kumar Bista laid the foundation stone to construct the pitch. Bista said the pitch would be a milestone for the development of Nepali football. “The pitch will be helpful in producing talented players as it will also be used by the school and local community,” said Bista.

ANFA President Narendra Shrestha said the mini pitch was a good option for training. “Since we lack lands in Kathmandu, we failed to have other pitches in the valley. We will try for similar projects in coming days as well,” said Shrestha.

Sacred Heart School Principal Badrinath Bhatta said sports was equally important for the overall development of students. With the construction of the pitch, our students will get opportunity to showcase their talent and could represent Nepal in the international tournaments some day,” said Bhatta.