mysportsmysports

In less than two weeks  the prestigious AFC Challenge Cup qualifier kicks off in Kathmandu. This is   by far the most anticipated tournament   of   2012 Nepali football calendar and is expected to draw massive crowds. Yet once again Kathmandu valley sport enthusiasts have been rewarded with a gala sporting spectacle that is going to stir plenty of excitement. It is hoped that that they show up for every match in strength and passionately root for the home team. Nepal, Palestine, Maldives, Turkmenistan, DPR Korea, Philippines, India and Tajikistan   will battle it out for the top honor. The winner of the group will get the ticket to the final round of the AFC Asian Cup to be held in Australia in 2015. Expectations are high when it comes to Nepal’s performance, especially following their fairly impressive showing in the SAFF Championship in New Delhi, India last year. The upcoming tournament however is   very   di...

The ongoing Aaha Gold Cup football championship in Pokhara points to the fact that Sahara Club, the organizer is   seriously committed to the promotion of football and development of its players in the best possible way. The championship, formerly known as   “Caravan Gold Cup”   started in 2001, and   in 2002 it was renamed “Aaha Gold Cup “. Since then   the tournament has grown in stature and magnitude. Following    All Nepal Football Association’s (ANFA) endorsement the competition was elevated to the premier status. Today it is a top notch tournament in the country and   attracts the best teams from around the country. Over the years, the organizer also has   given the competition international flavor by inviting teams from neighboring countries India and Bangladesh. This year’s edition features   twelve   teams. They are: Nepal Police Club, Three Star Club, Manang Marsyangdhi...

Let me start by congratulating Nepal Police  Club  for  their  success  in winning the  1st  A Division National League football championship that recently concluded  in  Butwal. Nepal Police Club (NPC) fully deserves the title for the way they performed throughout the competition. They got off to a strong start in the first   phase held in Pokhara, and they maintained the momentum   all the way to the end to emerge champions. Without a doubt they were the best and the most consistent   team   in the league.  Interestingly, they were the only side   to   finish undefeated, an achievement in itself. Having   captured   both   A   Division National   League   and the Martyr’s A Division League titles, the cops have reasserted themselves as the country’s best team. This is not   the first time they have domina...

There are unforgettable memories     in    life     that keeps lingering in the back of our minds. It can be good or bad or ugly, but you cannot keep your thoughts off it. I carry one such memory that I would like to share with you. Most of you are very familiar with the storyline I am going to delve into, that is, Nepal’s gold medal performance in football at the 1993 South Asian Federation Games, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Personally, this   football   story   is very important to me because it unfolded right   before my eyes. Also it   provides me the premise   to draw parallels between Nepali football now and then. Eighteen years have passed, but this success   narrative continues to   live in   our   hearts and minds, for the simple reason, we   have failed to  accomplish anything close so far. I was a rookie sports reporter for “TKP’ back the...

At last   we   have   a   brand name called   A Division National League   Football   Championship.  In whatsoever   shape and form it might be, never mind, the long wait is over finally. Why,   All Nepal   Football   Association (ANFA)   took   this long to roll out a competition of utmost importance, to this day, remains   a mystery.  Not to me at least.  I have a straight answer.  I have frequently said, and I will   say it again. This is nothing but an example of   ignorance and incompetency.  For the most   part the football   body   solely   focused   on Martyr’s   League (A, B, C & D) in which Kathmandu Valley based clubs   competed. The   participation of   Koilapani, a non- based Valley outfit made the...

Cricket   is   rapidly   climbing the popularity   chart   in Nepal.  Arguably the second most popular team event behind football that is widely played in every nook and cranny. The presence of   a   huge fan base across the   country   boggles   my   mind. Cricket   aficionados’   enthusiasm and   passion   is at an all -time high. The   game continues to   grow strictly in terms of popularity despite the sorry state.  Driven by their   love of cricket   and   dream   to represent the country an increasing   number   of   youngsters   (both sexes) are playing the game. Speaking   of   talent, we   have plenty in our ranks, and   the   upcoming   aspirants   h...

The   recently   concluded   9 th edition of the South Asian Federation   Football   Championship in New Delhi, India   was Nepal’s   last international outing of 2011. 2011 in retrospect, was   this   a   good or bad year for Nepali football?   Whether   you agree or not, it was an unproductive, frustrating and ordinary year.  I wish it was just the opposite. Speaking of international engagements, the national team   had   a   busy   schedule year around. They participated   in   three   major   tournaments   and achieved some degree of success. Also   the team   undertook   a   four- nation Asian tour as part of preparation for the SAFF Championship. British coach Graham Roberts   who took over the national team in...