The very first U-19 SAFF Championship is set to be hosted by Nepal this August from the 20th to the 29th, with youth squads from eight SAFF countries (India, Nepal, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Maldives) expected to take part.
According to GoalNepal.com, SAFF has already confirmed Nepal as the host country through official correspondence and the governing body, ANFA, has started work on their preparations.
Two matches will be held per day according to reports, and although the venues haven’t been finalized, Nepali capital Kathmandu has previously utilized the Halchowk Stadium and Dasharath Rangalsala for international fixtures.
For Pakistan, whose U-16 side won the inaugural, Nepal-hosted U-16 SAFF Championship in 2011, it could prove to be timely international experience for the U-19 squad, who later face a stern test in their AFC U-19 Championship qualifiers in September.