By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Dec 22 : Nepal government has honoured the men’s national football team with a cash prize on Tuesday for finishing second at the 13th edition of the SAFF Championship held in October in the Maldives.
Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba felicitated the national squad with prize money of Rs. 500,000 each at his Residence, Baluwatar.

Three coaches were also awarded Rs. 300, 000 each.

The government had announced the cash prize right after Nepal finished runner-up at the South Asian regional football championship.

Addressing the felicitation programme, Prime Minister Deuba said that he was pleased to honour national heroes, who play for a nation in international arenas.
Prime Minister Deuba also gave best wishes to the football team to give their best in the coming days.

He also asked the concerned authority to conduct the talent hunt programme all over the nation to bring forward the football talents.

Minister for Youth and Sports Maheshwor Jung Gahatraj also requested the football team to do well in the coming days and give more opportunities for the government to honour them.

Speaking on behalf of footballers, national team defender Sujal Shrestha thanked the government for honouring them. He also urged the government to build a new football stadium equipped with the latest technology.
Shrestha also requested the increment in the prize money of the leagues and the arrangement of international matches and training.

Nepal advanced into the SAFF Championship final for the first time in 28 years. They went down by 3-0 against India in the title clash on October 18 in Male.