Soccer teams from near and far put on their cleats this weekend to raise money to help rebuild a school that was destroyed after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit Nepal last month, leaving more than 7,000 people dead.
Members of the New York Nepalese Football Club (NYNFC) held a “HELP NEPAL” soccer tournament at Queensbridge Park in Long Island City this Sunday where money was raised to continue the group’s efforts in the South Asian country.
After the earthquake hit Nepal on April 25, the crowd helped organize vigils in Jackson Heights and Times Square, and also collected thousands in funds.
“Wherever we go, everyone says we did a very good job and they appreciate our job,” said Pralay Rajbhandari, a player and member of the New York Nepalese Football Club. “Even in Nepal, everyone has come to know about our club.
A total of $4,023 was collected during the May 24 tournament, called the Nepal Relief Soccer Cup, which featured 10 soccer teams – with some from Connecticut and New Jersey – and over 250 audience members.
The funds will go toward rebuilding a school in Khale in the Sindupalchowk region of Nepal, and also providing stationary, bags and uniforms for almost 150 students.
“We thought with being a soccer club, if we do some kind of sporting event it will attract more youth to this cause which was very successful,” Rajbhandari said.
At the end of the tournament, NYNFC came out the winners and took home a trophy.
The group is still selling T-shirts for $15 and bands for $5 in order to continue raising funds for victims in Nepal. For more information, contact Rajbhandari at 347-891-9841.
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