The wrath of the nature saw massive devastation and loss of life and property with a multiple tremors in and around the regional surrounding Nepal. The Under-14 girls’ team from India was in Nepal when the earthquake took place but where save as they were practising on the open grounds of the stadium when the earthquake came. They were flown back from Kathmandu on Sunday evening back to New Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport safely.
The All India Football Federation said that they were in constant touch with the Indian embassy present in Nepal and with the External Affairs Ministry to ensure that the girls get priority in extraction from the devastated country. Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport was shut down after the massive tremors stranding all passengers. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had earlier tweeted that getting the girls out of Nepal was the government’s priority. The Indian Embassy in Nepal took help from the Indian Armed forces who flew the girls back and five officials in a military plane to India.
Head Coach Rocky Maymo after landing back in India said, “I thank God for looking after us and for keeping us safe. The girls were scared as it was their first time outside the country. We were practising on the field, when we felt the earth shake. We are grateful we were in the open and that all the girls are safe”.
“Special thanks to Nepal Football Association. They looked after them like their own children and kept us posted throughout”, tweeted AIFF president, Praful Patel. He expressed his gratitude to the Indian Embassy in Nepal and the Indian Armed Forces for bringing the girls back safely to India.
Praful Patel also announced that the AIFF will be donating 11 Lakhs or reflief of the earthquake victims through the Nepal Football Association.
Tags: AIFF, All India Football Federation, Earthquake, Football, India, Indian Football, Kathmandu, Nepal, Nepal Football Association, NFA, Praful Patel, Sports, Tribhuvan International Airport