Living with football!

From dust to turf

by AGYA POUDYAL

FROM ISSUE # 146 (February 2008) | IN THIS ISSUE
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He could be Nepal's David Beckham but Hari Khadka doesn't want to talk about being a heartthrob. The only thing that gets him talking is football. Within minutes of talking to him you'll realise that his life is like a match; the football field is his shell, training, practice sessions and making strategies- his way of living. 

Probably, this passion for the game is also the secret behind how he managed to be named the Best Footballer in the 'A' Division League of 2007 and drove away a brand new Toyota Yaris. 'Giving away the prizes does help to motivate players but more than that is the passion for the game and your loyalty to it that matters most,' he says.

A Maradona fan, he calls Holger Oberman, a German trainer, his angel. While playing the San Miguel Youth Cup in 1993, he was noticed by Oberman and later taken to a club in Germany for training. He credits being chosen for the training among other under 16 footballers as the moment that kick started his career. "Had it not been for my trainer, I would not have been able to rise from the level of football that I played as a kid in Jhapa," he says. He started off with the New Road Team in Kathmandu and since then, has played many games for national and international clubs including Brothers Union, a Bangladeshi club, and has a total of 14 international goals to his kitty. He currently leads the Sahid Smarak Football League 2063 winners Mahendra Police Club.

A lot of corporate houses are getting interested in backing football clubs, Hari is optimistic about the future of the game. He says, 'When I started playing, I only made Rs 1,500 but today footballers playing for the clubs start with sums as high as Rs 25,000 and that definitely is a good thing.'

But on a practical note he feels that Nepal's entry into the World Cup would be miraculous anytime soon. The logic behind it he says, "The main reason why I think that we still have a long way to go for the World Cup is because we haven't been able to hone our skills by playing with players who are better than us.' He foresees that inclusion of good international players in the national league might give Nepal the solution to forming a better team.

Having played for the national side for more than 14 years, Hari feels that it's time to give upcoming talents a chance. Thus, not ruling out the prospect of retirement as a player of the international side he says, "I have achieved most of the things that I have dreamt of." And further goes on to add, "I have played both domestic and international matches for Nepal and I also got the opportunity to captain the national side. Though I still hope to play the domestic matches I feel that its time for me to give the younger talents a chance to play football at the international level."

Suffice to say, Hari has achieved a lot from the game. From being a player at a local club in Jhapa to being the best player in the national side his life has been worthy in every step. If there is anything more he wants from life then its one dream that he harbors- to coach the national team once he retires.

When asked what fame has given him he acknowledges that his life has become easier financially. But he credits all that to hard work. "Being true to the game and having honesty sincerity and discipline pays your dues someday. There is no shortcut to it," he explains.