The curtain of the inaugural SAFF (South Asian Football Federation) Women's Football Championship opens today at the Cox's Bazar Stadium with Nepal taking on Maldives in the opening game.

All the participating teams — India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Maldives and hosts Bangladesh -- have already reached the coastal town, which has the largest sea beach in the world.

Meanwhile on the eve of this big event, the district has taken a festive look. The tourists town has been decorated with colourful festoons, banners and flags that have made the dwellers enthusiastic about the tournament. A handicraft fair has already opened near the venue to uphold the local heritage and culture.

A number of security measures have been taken up, said additional deputy commissioner Nurul Amin Nizami.

Worawi Makudi, chairman of FIFA women's committee and president of Thailand Football Association, is scheduled to arrive in Cox's Bazar today to declare the 12-day meet open as a one-and-a-half hours opening ceremony will take place at the new-look stadium which was given a facelift for this multi-country event.

Swedish women's footballer Johanna Frisk is also here to inspire the subcontinent’s female footballers, who are all set to compete to establish their supremacy for the first time though their male counterparts have been competing in the subcontinental battle since 1993.

SAFF and BFF president Kazi Salahuddin, SAFF vice-president and FIFA develop-ment officer Manilal Fernando and general secretary Alberto Colaco will also be present.

Both Nepal and Maldives had their final practices yesterday ahead of the opening game and were upbeat to start their campaign on a winning note.

Bangladesh start their campaign taking on Sri Lanka in one of tomorrow's two matches as favourites India face Bhutan in the first game.