Pass the ball | Cover Story

NSJF

Upendra Man Singh with his new Toyota Yaris.
On 17 May at the launch of Toyota's latest car, Upendra Man Singh was awarded with a sleek, stylish, red Yaris. "I never dreamed I would be given a car for playing football," said Singh, who was voted Best Player at the Martyrs' Memorial San Miguel A Division Football League. "When I started playing, all we would get was a pair of boots."

Football in Nepal has indeed come a long way with increasing amount of sponsorship for tournaments. Soon after Singh got his car, Hari Khadka won the Rupak Raj Sharma Footballer of the Year 2062 award, which came with a brand new Yamaha G5 bike and a cash prize of Rs 1,00,000. Ganesh Thapa, president of Akhil Nepal Football Association (ANFA) says, "We want to double league sponsorship to make it possible for football players to be independent. Sponsorship makes the game more lucrative. The plan now is to pick potential players, train them and improve in the youth ranks."

On 13 October 2005, after Nepal's U-17 team became the first foreign champion to win the Indian Subroto Mukherjee Cup since the tournament began in 1960, the focus of Nepali football has shifted to training new players. "We didn't participate in the World Cup 2006 qualifying matches so we could use the resources to improve at the grass-roots level," says Thapa. ANFA has started youth football programmes with inter-school, district-level and regional tournaments. Selected players under 12 years of age get to stay at ANFA's hostel where they receive free education and intense football training. The young players then compete in junior league championships. However, once they complete high school the boys are free to pursue life on their own, often uncertain terms.

NSJF

(right) Pradeep Maharjan

The first batch of ANFA's graduates have already become the most sought after footballers. Some are star players of the national team. However, once released from ANFA's rigorous training and the rigid routine of school, the boys are rearing to go abroad. The level of improvement in the national team's performance is still not as expected. Pradeep Maharjan, one of ANFA's first products, who plays for Three Star Club says, "We were trained well and received emphasis on our studies. I've given up academics to play full-time but am considering going to college."

Rumour has it that Pradeep received an offer of Rs 30,000, probably the highest made to any Nepali footballer. "I refused it," admits Maharjan, "Three Star is like family to me. I countered the offer by asking for Rs 10,000 more. I haven't heard from them since." Most of his batch mates have gone to the United States where some play college-level football. Maharjan says, "The scope of football in Nepal is limited so we look for other options. Many of us made it to the national team, those who've gone abroad might look at the possibility of returning after their studies to play football here again."

Veteran players and coaches, however, aren't pleased with the attitude of young players. They expect more commitment and passion from the youth teams. Says Raju Shakya, who coaches them, "We handpicked the young players. The U-17 team will play in Singapore now, after it defeated teams like Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Our youth ranking has produced strong results. We've taught them all we know so we expect more from the boys."

GRAPHIC ARTS

Raju Shakya lunges for the ball at the 1986 World Cup qualifying match against South Korea.
Raju Shakya played football and worked at Janakpur Cigarette Factory to earn a living. He used to get Rs 5 per day. Soon he made it to the national team and played in four World Cup qualifying matches. "We didn't have a chance in being qualified but we had spirit. We narrowed down the goal margins as much as possible. Once when we lost by 11 goals, we went without food," says Shakya. The training that the Nepali football players received in preparation for the World Cup qualifying matches in the past was never adequate. Even the food and nutrition was not enough as Raju says, "I used to vomit after each game, I was so weak. We were talented but we never had the tools to make it."

When Nepali players participate in international tournaments, they do not hope to win. Rather, the mindset is to learn from the experience. As Hari Khadka, who played for Nepal in the WC qualifying matches for 1998 and 2002 says, "We don't expect to be qualified. We only think of learning. We don't even stand a chance at the Asian level with teams such as Japan and South Korea. We need to secure our place at the South Asian level."

NEPAL SPORT JOURNALISTS\' FORUM

In the last few years, Nepal's football games have also moved to a more strategic level. "The young teams play calculated games that are technically better," says FIFA referee Buddhi Bahadur Thapa. "This can be attributed to television. Players receive exposure and a chance to learn on their own by watching famous sportsmen play. Sports coverage at the local level has also improved with the development of media in Nepal."

The new crop of footballers is already called semi-professionals. With clubs fighting for good players, it is possible today to make a living out of football. "A double league system would make the game more competitive and international games at the academic level would improve young players," says former FIFA referee Sri Ram Ranjitkar. "We still have to make our mark in Asia. But if the rate of progress continues, it won't be long before we make it to the WC's second round of the qualifying match."

But Nepal hasn't lost in all World Cup qualifying matches. In 1998, Nepal defeated Macao by 2-1 and in 1986, had a goalless draw with Malaysia. "Both were amazing moments for Nepal," says Ranjitkar, "but they were short-lived." The match against Malaysia was held in Dasrath Stadium, Kathmandu. Still, each match played was an experience that the players took as a learning opportunity. Today, they are using the skills learnt to teach young sportsmen. National player Bal Gopal Maharjan says, "Times are changing and changing fast. Footballers today can have both money and the game if they want. What we need to strive for now is professionalism to encourage potential players and cultivate passion for the sport."

GRAPHIC ARTS

The Nepali team at the qualifying match for World Cup 1986 at Dasrath Stadium.
Young players worry about their future. What happens once a Nepali footballer retires or can't play anymore? The options are limited: coach, referee or teach the sport in schools. Ganesh Thapa says, "That's why we emphasise on the need for sportspersons to study. If they are capable in balancing both sports and academics, they will have many more options should they be seriously injured or retire."

Players aren't necessarily limited to the game either. The face of Nepali football is changing with famous footballers now turning into glamour stars. Upendra Man Singh, who shot to fame after Three Star Club's performance at the AFC President's Cup in 2005, is brand ambassador for half a dozen products. A certified coach in goal-keeping, he says, "We have the spirit and potential. What we need now is to be result-oriented. Our FIFA world rank might be 169 but there's so much we can do. Look at me, I still can't believe I won a car for playing football!"

WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

The Nepali women's football scenario is comparatively less happening than the men's and the recent political turmoil posed many obstacles. There are district level teams playing matches between themselves at a regular basis, according to the Women's Football Committee. "We have two tournaments a year and this year we plan to organise more programmes," says Kalpana Shrestha Piya of the committee. Last year, the ANFA-MAYOS girls football tournament took place with 27 districts participating. The Women's Championship however had to be postponed as families were reluctant to send their daughters to the capital city during strikes, bandhs and curfews.

After playing in Norway in July 2002, the young Nepali girls' team played at an international tournament in Kathmandu on 17-20 December 2003. On 26 May and 6 June 2004, the team played in the AFC U-19 Women's Championship held in Wuxi, China. "Participation is important to us right now. We plan to send the women's team to play some friendly matches in Malaysia," says Piya. The ANFA-Mayos Girls tournament has been rescheduled for November this year and the date for the National Women's Championship is yet to be set. The committee plans to organise training caps in districts in order to develop the national team into separate age groups such as U-16, U-19 and U-23.

NEPALI PLAYERS ROOT FOR WORLD CUP 2006

Hari Khadka
TEAM: I'm rooting for Brazil. They have the best players. Germany has home advantage. My other favourite is England because of their performance in the English premiere league.
FAVOURITE PLAYER: Theiry Henry

Sri Ram Ranjitkar
TEAM: Brazil, their playing style is superb. Germany for their fighting spirit and Italy for their performance in the league.
FAVOURITE PLAYER: Ronaldo

Bal Gopal Maharjan
TEAM: Argentina but they might not win. Germany, as host, they have a chance. Brazil, each player is outstanding.
FAVOURITE PLAYER: Ronaldinho, Rivaldo

Ganesh Thapa
TEAM: Argentina, they are my all-time favourite. Brazil, of course.
FAVOURITE PLAYER: Ronaldo, Ronaldinho

Pradeep Maharjan
TEAM: Brazil, I think they'll win this time. And England, they might not win.
FAVOURITE PLAYER: Ronaldinho

Raju Shakya
TEAM: Brazil, all-time favourite. England, they are pretty strong this time.
FAVOURITE PLAYER: Ronaldinho

Buddhi Bahadur Thapa
TEAM: Brazil, they are technically sound. Argentina, loyal fan.
FAVOURITE PLAYER: Ronaldo, Ronaldinho

Upendra Man Singh
TEAM: Germany, they might win. England, I'm a big Arsenal fan.
FAVOURITE PLAYER: David Beckham

WAVE KICK-OFF CUP
To add to the excitement of the football fever WAVE Kick-Off Cup, a star-studded football tournament, will take place on 24 June at Dasrath Stadium. A percentage of the profit will be donated to Mayadevi Orphanage in Rupandehi.