Kathmandu, June 30: The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has decided not to send the national women’s football team to Lebanon to participate in the ‘Cedars International Women’s Friendly Tournament’ scheduled from July 10-16 at Rashid Karami International in the city of Tripoli.

Lebanon had invited Nepal, Jordan and Bangladesh for the tournament between four countries. However, Nepal has become the second country to withdraw from the tournament despite effective preparations.

The ANFA had been training 30 players in a closed camp for the tournament from June 2. Three days ago, a 22-member squad to compete in the tournament was also revealed. 

Meanwhile, after the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) on Wednesday decided to not send its team to Lebanon, concerns from Nepali authorities also increased. As per the BFF, the ‘situation in Lebanon’ disallowed the Federation to let the team participate in the tournament.

“Due to recent developments in Lebanon and with the security of our team members and officials as our top priority, we have decided to withdraw from the Cedars Women’s International Tournament…,” read a statement by the ANFA on Saturday.

Talking to The Rising Nepal, ANFA spokesperson Suresh Shah informed that the Association was now communicating with foreign counterparts, especially South Asian neighbours, for matches.

“The women’s team, after almost a month-long training, will not be visiting Lebanon as scheduled. We are planning some other matches for the players so that they remain prepared for the upcoming SAFF Women’s Championship,” said Shah.

Bangladesh has managed two friendly matches with Bhutan after they decided to not travel to Lebanon. 

Nepali fans were eagerly waiting for the tournament as the team showed great challenge and promise while facing Lebanon and Jordan in the latest edition of WAFF and Bangladesh in the latest edition of SAFF. Nepal also had a chance to lift an international trophy for the first time in Lebanon, the dream has been postponed for now.

Nevertheless, the ANFA informed that the women’s team players will continue with the training until further updates.