Pokhara, 30 January | For the first time in the history of South Asian regional football, the SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship is moving outside the capital city to the scenic tourist hub of Pokhara. Scheduled to take place from January 31 to February 7 (Magh 17 to 24), the tournament features four competing nations: the hosts Nepal, defending champions Bangladesh, India, and Bhutan. The championship will follow a single round-robin format at the Pokhara Stadium, where the top two teams from the league stage will advance directly to the grand finale. Having finished as runners-up on three previous occasions (2018, 2023, and 2025), the Nepali squad is determined to leverage the home advantage and passionate local support to secure their maiden title in this age category.
The Nepali team has undergone rigorous preparation under the guidance of Head Coach Suman Shrestha, who utilized a three-week training camp in Kathmandu to sharpen the squad’s skills. Speaking about the team’s readiness, Coach Shrestha expressed satisfaction with the progress made despite the limited timeframe. He emphasized that the primary objective is to reach the final, noting that the opening fixture against India is of paramount importance. Nepal aims to secure at least a point in their debut match against the Indian side to keep their championship aspirations alive. The squad represents a balanced mixture of experience and budding talent; veterans like Sushila KC, Senu Pariyar, Vice-Captain Maya Maske, and Barsha Oli, who have transitioned from the U-20 category, are expected to provide leadership to the new players promoted from the U-17 ranks.
Vice-Captain Maya Maske shared that the team is highly motivated to perform in Pokhara and cited excellent chemistry among the teammates. While the squad arrived in Pokhara only on Thursday, leaving them with just a single day to acclimatize to the local conditions and the pitch, the coaching staff believes the players are mentally fortified for the challenge. Coach Shrestha remarked that although they missed the chance for extended training sessions at the match venue, the rhythm gained from the recent domestic Women’s League would be a significant asset. Historically, Bangladesh has dominated this tournament with five titles, while India has secured two. As Nepal prepares to step onto the Pokhara Rangasala pitch, the nation anticipates an improved performance that could finally break the cycle of silver medals and crown them as the champions of South Asia.
