UEFA Champions League matches this week are opening with a minute of silence in memory of people killed in the devastating floods in Nepal.
The tribute is being observed across the opening round of this season’s Champions League matches. Banners carrying the message “You are not alone, Nepal” are also being displayed, according to reports on the UEFA tribute.
The gesture comes as Nepal continues its search-and-recovery operation following the late-August disaster, which has left a large number of people dead or missing and caused extensive damage to roads, bridges, homes and hydropower infrastructure. Reuters reported on Sept. 9 that Nepal was seeking about $5 billion in international assistance for the initial phase of reconstruction.
For Nepalis living overseas, the tribute represents an unusual moment of visibility for Nepal on a global sporting platform. The Champions League attracts audiences across Europe and among football supporters worldwide, including large Nepali communities in the UK, Australia, North America and elsewhere.
The tribute also comes after Nepal observed a national day of mourning on Sept. 7 for those killed in the disaster.
The sporting community's response has extended beyond the Champions League. International athletes, clubs and sporting organisations have increasingly used their platforms to express solidarity with Nepal as rescue and recovery efforts continue.
For Nepali football supporters abroad, the tribute is likely to resonate beyond the result of any individual match. It gives the disaster a prominent place in a sporting environment followed daily by millions of people around the world.
