Officials of the All Nepal Football Association have declared the Pokhara stadium is ‘fit and prepared’ to host the women’s football tournaments for the 13th South Asian Games. The matches are scheduled to be held between December 3 to 10 in the city.

Krishna Thapa, ANFA vice-president and coordinator of the women’s football competition for the Games, said: “The grass is now ready for the tournament.”

But the construction of the parapet, toilets and changing rooms are yet to be completed.

Project manager for Great Sports Infra and MA Constructions JV, organisations tasked with the responsibility of construction works of the stadium, Dipak Baral said, “The remaining infrastructure, including the changing rooms, will be built after the completion of the Games.”

Changing rooms of a multi-purpose hall near the stadium are to be used for the women’s football tournament during the Games.

The ground took a longer time to get ready because the Bermuda grass that was being imported from India was delayed by eight days at the border due to Indian quarantine. The football pitch was prepared by curators from Kolkata, India.

Football ground expert Dilip Rajak said the technical team of ANFA was currently marking the football pitch following international standards. Rajak, however, refrained from speaking about the preparedness and quality of the ground.

Nepal women’s football team are currently in Pokhara. They will play practice matches in Pokhara Stadium on Saturday and Sunday. Nepal, India, the Maldives and Sri Lanka are contesting at the women’s football tournament.

According to Baral, the construction company aims to install a seating arrangement to accommodate 10,000 spectators before the tournament commences.