mysportsmysports

Nepal’s last place finish    in the recently concluded    AFC     U-16 Football     Championship     qualifier    in Kathmandu     does not auger     well    for Nepali     football. The    hugely     disappointing    result     put a damper on football     enthusiasts    who     had     rallied around the team. Home fans    dejection    was/is palpable. They have witnessed their team    take a beating one after another in the last six months. After the    national    team’s    mediocre     showing in the World Cup qualifier, high hopes pinned on Under-16 footballers.   Much to everyone’s    chagrin they failed to    live     up to their expectations in both SAFF and AFC tournaments.   In the SAFF championship they made a total hash of things despite heavily    favored    to    win.  The youngsters let stacks of chances    go begging because of their inability to finish off in style. The AFC tourney was a different ball game in terms of opposition quality. In Oman, Syria and Saudi A

To    acknowledge      and    honor     athletes’ excellence    is indispensable. It is a respectful way to salute and thank them for their    achievement    and outstanding contribution to the society and country. The recognition    is about their    relentless endeavor,    unending    commitment     and     selfless     sacrifice to glorify the nation through their sporting prowess. Also     it is an opportunity to amplify the importance of sports and    keep athletes’ morale high.   Celebrated sporting figures are role models and national heroes who are looked upon for motivation and inspiration by the     community     .   The greatest     irony, however, is that not    always     accolades come their way     though they      fully deserve. In a country like Nepal where sports is a non-priority for the government, athletes constantly find themselves in the face of uncertainty and    unpredictability. For the     most     part     they     are either ignored or shunned, and their

Eighteen years ago I vividly    remember running into    Baichung Bhutia, India’s most acclaimed and celebrated footballer of our time. Candidly speaking     never    in my wildest    dreams I imagined the sprightly and gifted youngster would    climb the heights of football greatness. The nimble- footed    footballer was    the    youngest    member    of    the    Sikkim outfit    that     was in town to participate in the Birthday Cup. With great interest   and curiosity    I   watched   the Tashi   Namgyal Academy     talent   fresh off   from his fantastic   Subroto   Cup debut where he was adjudged   player of the tournament . He     did not disappoint and     lived up to expectations.   He was a bundle of confidence and exhibited flair and poise in his performance. He had all the hallmarks of a great football player. Later I caught up with him. Like    most youngsters he was initially shy and hesitant to share his thoughts but ultimately opened his mouth. He echoed a strong