Thinley Namgay 

A national women’s football player, who was injured during the opening match on September 6 against host Nepal in the ongoing SAFF Women Championship 2022 has been discharged from the hospital yesterday.

The 21-year-old defender from Gelephu Football Academy toppled during the game in heavy rain and suffered a neck sprain in the second half at the Dashrath Stadium in Kathmandu.

She was immediately referred to the Blue Cross Diagnostic Centre in Nepal. She was moved to the emergency unit following a headache.

Bhutanese football officials in Nepal said the defender didn’t vomit, lose consciousness or have any abnormal movement. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed that her condition was normal.

“Her condition is stable with mild neck pain,” an official said, adding that the defender would be kept under observation and attend light training.

Bhutan will play the second game tomorrow against Sri Lanka. Officials didn’t confirm whether the injured defender will be a part of the squad to face Sri Lanka.

Officials said that the Nepalese officials have provided timely support and had given preference to the defender and visited frequently to check on her condition.

Meanwhile, Bhutanese officials in Nepal said that Kathmandu Bhutanese Society and ICIMOD officials were supporting the girls during the game.

Bhutan lost to Nepal 4-0. The water-logged ground made it difficult for both teams to enjoy a good game.

Under the head coach Kyung Suk Hong from South Korea, Bhutan’s national women’s football team has been undergoing intensive training since August 25  in Nepal.

Seven countries are participating in the sixth SAFF Women’s Championship.