KATHMANDU: Kathmandu University (KU) High School will participate in the Norway Cup — a friendly football festival which will be held in Oslo from July 29 to August 4.

The girls’ team of the school is the winner of Guheshwori Women’s Football Tournament and Fr Niesen Cup. All members from the school are leaving on their own expense after coach Pradeep Humagain’s application was accepted by the organisers.

The team, led by Shrawana Shrestha, includes Joshana Shrestha, Dilasha Manandhar, goalkeeper Pratistha Saakha, Rajshree Pandey, Slesha Shrestha, Aakriti Chhetri, Ritika Thapa, Appechhya Bajracharya, Sophin Dahal, Arkita Shakya, Kavya Shrestha, Swarnima Lamichhane, Maya Rokka, Saru KC, Sajina Hangma Rai Limbu and Nima Tamang.

Skipper Shrawana said it was a big opportunity for the girls. “We are in a society which keeps the belief that women cannot involve in sports. The Norway Cup will give us a platform to showcase our talents,” said the skipper. Shrawan credited her coach for the building of the team which has made a big leap in short period. “We were completely unaware how football is played but after the arrival of our coach, we have gradually improved and most importantly we are gaining more confidence.”

Coach Pradeep said he would help the team to build relations. “We will meet a lot of teams in Oslo and we will invite few teams to play friendly football in Nepal,” he said. KU High School principal Tejendra Rajbhandari said the event would help them in getting more exposure. The team will leave for Norway on July 27. Introduced in 1972, Norway Cup brings teams from more than 50 nations.