Kathmandu (Pahichan) April 21 – National Futsal of sexual and gender minorities has begun in Kathmandu on Friday. The futsal began at Dhanabantari Futsal Ground, and in the inaugural match far-western team has won the game. The far-western team defeated Kathmandu B with 1-0.

In the next match, Kathmandu A has emerged victorious defeating Purbanchal-1 with 6-0. The match between western team and eastern team ended with equal score. In today’s match, Kathmandu-A has secured four score, while western team secured three score.  Kathmandu-B and far-western has secured equal number.

Mid-western and central team, however, were unable to secure any secure. There will be a match of far-western and central, Kathmandu-A and western, and eastern and mid-western teams are going to contest.

The semifinal game will be fixed only after the result of these games, according to Subash Ghalan, an official of National Futsal Association.

Sita Maharjan, Dipendra Rasaili, Biki Silakar and Ritesh Poudel were present during the inaugural match. Executive Director of Blue Diamond Society Manisha Dhakal handed over the balls to players.

The game was inaugurated by Minister for Sports Jagat Bahadur Bisokarma. The final and semi-final match will take place on Saturday. The winner will get the prize of fifty thousand cash, first runner up will get 30 thousand and third will get 20 thousand cash, medal and certificates.

Minister Bisokarma said that Futsal competition great sign of Nepali state and society opening up to all citizens–including sexual & gender minorities–and gaining momentum in the bid to become more inclusive.

BDS Chairman Pinky Gurung said, “Inclusion of gender & sexual minorities in sports not just essential to raise morale & confidence, but a matter of basic human rights