A nine-member Nepali football team was announced on Sunday for 2018 Street Child World Cup slated for May 19-27 in Moscow, Russia. 

Shelter Ashraya Nepal, a non-government organisation, has initiated Nepal’s participation in the World Cup to be organised before the Fifa World Cup scheduled for June 14 to July 15 same year. The tournament will feature 24 teams—12 each in boys’ and girls’ categories—of U-17 age category from 22 countries. But Nepal will field only boys’ team for the event. The seven-a-side tournament will be played over 40 minutes. 

The Nepali players were picked after organising a three-day selection tournament in September in Kathmandu. The selection tournament was held between 14 teams of 15 institutions who have been giving shelter to street children and orphans. According to Khusbu Oli, the president of Shelter Ashraya, head coach Rajan Neupane and Anfa coach Nabin Maharjan facilitated them is selecting the squad. “The selected players are undergoing training with Anfa assistance. We believe the players will represent whole Nepal in the World Cup rather than specific institutions,” said Oli. 

Besides the nine players, Shelter Ashraya also selected five reserved players. Aron Karki is the goalkeeper of the team while Manbir Lama and Bikash Timsina are 

the defenders. 

Rohan Bhusal, Ramesh Shah, Sachin BK and Santosh Khatri are the midfielders. Harsha Thakuri and Pawan Shahi are the strikers. The five reserved players include Bishal Badi, Raju, Rosan Kami, Raju Badi and Jiwit Kumar Tharu.