Old Lady " Dasarath Rangasala" dressed up for AFC Challenge

Die hard football goers across the country   feverishly   wait for the all important AFC Challenge Cup that is lurking around the corner.

The sporting spectacle is a bonanza for sport enthusiasts who worship the most popular sport in the planet. The unprecedented exhilaration and excitement in the air is palpable.

One of the most identifiable and recognizable landmarks in the capital is “Dasarath Rangasala (stadium)”, the main venue for the competition. Like an old lady it is getting a lavish makeup, never seen before.

When all is said and done,  come  8 March, the historical arena that has  been home to innumerable  sporting  and public  events , music extravaganzas,  parades and many more,  over the decades,  will come  alive again.

With   time   running out, the work undertaken by All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), the organizer of the prestigious tournament is taking place at a fast and furious pace.

The playing pitch that often is in a state of shambles (riddled with pot holes, jagged, muddled and mud-spattered) now looks sparkling lush green in pictures at least. So does the Halchowk ground.

The   defunct   flood lights at the stadium have been   finally brought back to life and   being tested for its effectiveness, following the decision to hold semi-finals and final under the lights. The organizer fully aware of the ongoing blackout sessions in the Valley is not taking any risk of power outages during the course of   the   game.

As a backup   they   have   installed a massive   expensive 500 KW generator, a well thought out decision. Without a doubt, the cost   to host a tournament of this proportion and magnitude runs into millions.

All in all, this is going to be   a   great and   fascinating   event. And a football championship of this scale   is taking place in the capital after a considerable period of time. A dime-a-dozen international tourneys we witnessed in the past pales in comparison.

ANFA, obviously, as a host/organizer wants to make an impression   on no other than FIFA boss  Joseph Sepp Blatter who will be  in Kathmandu for the tournament.

It is a good thing that Mr.  Blatter  accepted  the invitation. If he is interested he would have the luxury to get a firsthand account (in parts) of Nepali football in a nutshell at the most. We will have to wait and see, how his visit materializes   and   how much ANFA is able to benefit.

There is no inkling   that   ANFA is   good at organizing international tournaments. I agree, be it   domestic or international tournaments, it is indispensible   and an important   tool to advance and promote the game.

 My   contention   is   that   had they displayed similar   passion, eagerness, seriousness and honesty to develop the game, perhaps   the state of Nepali football would   have had a healthier look now.

Speaking of management and   security   issues related to the tournament, ANFA must leave no stone unturned.

Back to the AFC championship, Nepal’s performance will be under the spotlight. The million dollar question is: can   Coach Roberts’ boys come up with a decent performance?  Honestly speaking at this point   I am clueless.

Long as   the youngsters put their hearts and minds into every match, they   are with   a   chance to exceed expectations. Equally important is that they play   their natural game, maintain   a high level   of   consistency   and composure, and  make the most   of   scoring   opportunities.

The boys   appear   all pumped   up and fired up for the big challenge. It is very important that    they get off to a   really    good   start   not only   to   establish   early momentum   but to   gain extra confidence as well.

The   opener   against Palestine   is   crucial and decisive, and I am optimistic about our chances.   My advice to you all is believe in yourselves and play your heart out.