mysportsmysports

All Nepal Football Association’s decision to abandon the newly   launched National League  football  tournament in favor of  ( whatever you want to call it Kathmandu or Martyr’s ) 'A'  Division  League   is  a huge   disappointment and a big  blow to non-Kathmandu Valley based  football clubs. Once again there will be no   nationwide league, thus denying emerging football clubs across the   country a chance to   become part of the mainstream football. This, obviously, confirms the fact that All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) is far from supportive when it comes to football clubs stationed outside the capital. Here is the thing, though, either the football body   has run out of ideas, or it is no longer competent to implement its programmes. For long   the clubs have   been   ignored and alienated   by ANFA. However, ther...

There was a   time   when Nepali footballers were   very much sought after by   premier   football clubs    of   India   and Bangladesh   on a regular basis. That is hardly the case now. It is so hard to believe that today there is not a single Nepali footballer playing   club football in   India or Bangladesh. Looking   at I League   and Premier League in India and Bangladesh respectively, there has been   quite a turnaround   in terms of structure, professionalism and competitiveness. Over the years, we have seen an influx of   foreign players in both leagues. Given the opportunity, both   leagues provide an excellent   platform for our players looking forward to showcase their talent on a professional level. Despite the wealth of talent, Nepali football has not blossomed for years...

Indisputably   football popularity   in Nepal is on the rise, but standards   are steadily   and hopelessly declining.  A fact All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) will never admit, will never acknowledge. I have painted a rather   pessimistic picture.   It is what it is. I cannot help it. Facts   speak   the truth, and we   are   witnesses to the sad state of affairs that football is in now. We are not stupid or dumb not to make out what has happened and what is happening in Nepali football in the last eighteen years. This   is a   subject   Ganesh   Thapa   led   ANFA hates so much talking about by anyone. As a   matter of   fact, they   will never accept   or digest the truth. They are so averse to   criticism of any   sort that they find  ...

Until very recently, the national cricket team of Nepal scripted a spectacular and historical   success   narrative at the ICC World Cricket League Division Four tournament held in Malaysia. In spite of the long wait, the cricketers made it happen in the most emphatic manner. The much anticipated and overdue   accomplishment   was   a    dream    comes   true   for   everybody   closely associated with the team. Coach   Pabudu   Dassanayake and his boys deserve more than just a big pat on the back for the fantastic result. After a lot of ups and downs, their hard work   finally   paid rich dividends. Unlike in the past, Team Nepal put in a flawless performance from start to finish. They got off to a dazzling   start and finished off in flying colors much to our delight. They   ended the com...

The   women’s national   football team of Nepal   put forth   a great collective effort in the recently concluded 2nd Women SAFF Championship in Colombo, Sri Lanka, but they failed to strike it rich at the end. It was an incredible  effort, indeed, and   they have made the country proud. They can hold their heads up high and say, “We did our very best”. Let us not forget, the ladies have   struggled, worked   long and toiled hard to get where they are today.  Their passion and dogged determination for the game of football kept/keeps them going. They have reached three finals in three years and elevated themselves to the position of number two in South Asia. The fruits   of    their   labor are starting to pay off; nonetheless, they still have a long way to go. Prior to the final game, one big question on everyone’s mind was: Will the third time be a char...

The   ongoing   2 nd   SAFF Women’s Championship in Colombo, Sri Lanka should have been an exciting and thrilling sporting spectacle but   turned out to be a low- key affair. Prior to start of the championship, based on competing teams’   strengths   and weaknesses, the final   between defending champions India and Nepal was a   foregone conclusion. As anticipated, the two finalists   hardly had to break sweat in their group matches. They effortlessly pummeled opponents   one after another   in a   slew   of   one –sided matches. Evidently, the gap is huge between   the   rest and the top   two   seeds. And   for Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, Afghanistan and   Pakistan, there is a lot of catching up to do.  This is the   third   final   ...

After a   disheartening    Nehru Cup performance by the men’s national football team, the   focus now   shifts to women footballers. As I write the   women’s national team is already in Sri Lanka to compete in the 2 nd  South Asian Federation Football (SAFF) Championship beginning 7 September. Defending champion India   and Nepal are the two top ranked teams in the tournament. The two rivals are most likely to fight it out again for   the title, if my prediction holds.    India ranked 52 nd  in FIFA rankings start the competition as the overwhelming favorites, and they may be poised for another championship. One thing is sure, they are not taking   anything for granted and   appear   well prepared   for the tournament. They head the group consisting of   Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Bhutan.     It may be reca...