Nepali Youth footballers fail to make hay

Following the national football team’s puny performance   against Jordan in the World Cup  qualifiers ,  football goers attention quickly  shifted  to the First  SAFF Under-16  Championship  held  in Kathmandu.

Vexed   and fed up with   the   senior team’s   lackadaisical   performance, the local    football fraternity enthusiastically looked forward to the juniors for a taste of success.

It made sense because our youngsters have consistently   performed   in    various age group   competitions with   considerable   success   for the most part.

The   youth teams have had quite a few success stories over the years. That said, however, there have been let-ups   in their performance lately, and the road to success has gotten bumpy as it can get.   

Every   time   Nepal   competes   in   an age group championship it   triggers   hope and high expectations.   It was not different this time also. The team management and players   seemed overly confidence   of a good result.

Most   home   fans felt the same way, and I was no exception.  I   have   always   believed in the skills of our budding footballers.  And I will continue to trust them irrespective of what happens. There are certain   things   we all agree   upon; the youngsters are   highly gifted, able and   heart and soul of Nepali football.   

Once again All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) had the honor to host the competition, the first of its kind in the region. Barring Afghanistan and Bhutan, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal were in the fray.

Clearly we were   one of the strong contenders and had   the opportunity to   redeem   ourselves.  Considering   home   advantages   and    opponents’ strength   we were   realistically in a win, win position.

Sorry   to   say   that   it did not materialize because we were victims of our own mistakes. A tournament   we   should   have won instead went by begging much to our chagrin. There is no excuse   for the mediocrity   that   ultimately cost us dearly. 

The third position the team barely   managed at the expense of   Bangladesh   did   very little to cajole us.   The loss to India was a clear case of carelessness and break down in the final minutes of the game. Despite dominating the proceedings and looking a potential winner, they went on to squander the tie.

Against an unimpressive Bangladesh it was a tale of missed chances and inability to make the most of the good play.  The 6-0 win against a weak Sri   Lanka   was expected. Talented Rishi Lama was find of the championship.

Going by media reports, both players and the team management   came under fire for   the   debacle. Besides underestimating   opponents   and   taking   things for granted, there was leadership vacuum in the team and lack   of   game strategies.

Though the team had a designated head coach there were others including the senior national team head coach Roberts making calls from the sidelines. In the first place they   should not have been allowed there to interfere the coach.

That got players distracted and confused to make right moves and decisions. Also there was lack of total discipline in players   who were engaged in   behavior uncalled   for.  It is hoped that the academy people learn from their mistakes and use it to improve the situation.  

There is no better way to learn than by making mistakes. That said, the key here is first to admit mistakes and   show resolve to fix so that it is not repeated in the future.

Pakistan caused a major upset by beating India in the final. There was euphoria and celebration across the country because for the first time in five years they won a football event at any age level.      

The grass roots level and youth   programme we have in place is very limited and far from a professional and well structured environment.   Also it is   well short   in   terms of  coaching staff, resources, infrastructure and sound management. In addition, the absence of   a strong football club culture   has   made the   problem   more challenging.

More than anything ANFA seemed    obsessed with organizing international tournaments, and they have virtually turned a blind eye to improve the state of football. One wonders if our so called football officials will ever assume responsibility and accountability.