Another challenge awaits young colts in Australia

I realize I have lagged behind   in writing about   our young cricketers, gearing up for the all important ICC World Cup Under-19 cricket championship, starting on 11 August in Queensland, Australia.

It is one of those days when you’re unable to fight off mental fatigue, or you’re preoccupied with something important that bears down on you out of the blue or you decide to take a sabbatical.

Don’t get me wrong. Candidly speaking, my extraordinary enthusiasm, zeal and passion remain intact. No way can I refrain from something, I am so attached to, and I am so passionate about?  I am apologetic, nevertheless.  

So much is happening in the world of sports, nationally and internationally. Of course, there is the mother of all sporting events, the 2012 Olympic Games in progress in London.

On the domestic front, it is all about football at the moment. The big news, however, was/is   the corruption allegations surrounding President of All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) Ganesh Thapa.

As I write Team Nepal   arrived in   Australia   last week   sans three players who were refused visa by the Australian Embassy, New Delhi, India. Now that the issue has been resolved, the three players will join the team in a matter of days.

The visa hassle could have been   averted, if Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) had been more knowledgeable about the process pertaining to minors.

CAN   continue to be a huge disappointment and keep   failing   in   their responsibilities. And what a   laughing stock they have made   of themselves.

Young   aspirants   are unsure of themselves because of the uncertainty, but   they do not want to quit the game they so passionately love.  I salute them for their dogged   determination and sacrifice to make something out of nothing for the country and themselves.

The   two- week long   tournament   features   the very best   cricketing   nations from across the world.  The competition is a perfect platform for budding cricketers, and more importantly it provides them a rare chance to rise to the top and leave a lasting impression.

Indeed, the stake is high for every cricketer considering the magnitude of the tournament. It   is a matter of pride for us that Team Nepal is part of the elite competition.

It does not matter, at least to me, no matter where they finish at the end of the day. The team’s qualification   to the competition is an accomplishment unto   itself. Of course, I love   to see our cricketers   reach   the pinnacle of success.

The   talent   we   have   is amazing, and   the   youngsters   have proven   time and time again just what they are capable of.  It may be recalled   that   the   team   enjoyed unprecedented success in the ICC World Cup Under- 19 held in   New Zealand and Sri Lanka. 

On both occasions our cricketers came up with sterling performance that   captivated the imagination of cricket   aficionados across the globe and deservingly    earned   those accolades and appreciation.

So, the million dollar   question   is:  can they do it?  Although   the odds are heavily stacked against them, Team Nepal has pretty much performed well in this competition.

Our   hope is   that the young colts   strive   to exceed   everyone’s expectations and   chalk up   another heart-warming performance.

Evidently   the   Australian challenge   is daunting for the boys; however, I have confidence in them.  I absolutely think this team has enough potential   to get the job done.

Having vented my optimism, ultimately everything   comes   down to collective   effort in order to make it happen. By and large, team successes   hinges on individual player performances, coupled with their ability to compete consistently, withstand the pressure of the game, and dig up and put forth every bit of their effort.

In addition, players need to imbibe   self confidence, commitment   and positive thinking. The   team   got   wake-up call in   their   lackluster showing   at ACC U-19 Asia Cup 2012 in Malaysia.

Against   the   world’s two finest   teams, Pakistan and India, our cricketers not only struggled, but failed to put up a semblance of a fight as they were roundly outplayed in every department of the game.

To make the   Australian trip a truly   memorable experience, Team Nepal cannot afford a repeat of that performance. They   have to give their very best performance to make a run in the championship.

It   is   important to remember   that they are up against formidable opponents in the likes of Australia, England and Ireland.

Sri Lankan Pubudu Dasanayeke, the national coach must have motivated and inspired players with his dime-a-dozen rounds of pep talks regarding every aspect of the game.  That is all he can do. He is not a miracle coach, one with a magic wand.

I am keeping my fingers crossed: I hope for the best result.