Nepali sports : A ray of hope amidst doldrums

In the last two decades, Nepalese did not only witness the downfall of century long monarchy, but also the declaration of a republican state. From political spectacle, the last two decades can be labeled as the historical era for Nepal. However, Nepali sports arena could not smell any fresh fragrance of change or development during the period.

Sports are directly linked with the well being of individuals, group, society and nation. It is not only physical activities and fun but also an effective means for keeping youths busy. While the dynamism of Nepal has soaked every sphere of living; lifestyle, education, politics and many more, yet the drought is unbroken in Nepali sports.
  
Two factors are vital for the development of sports around the globe. First, the role assimilated by sports governing body, and second professionalization of sports. Over the last 20 years, we neither see National Sports Council emerging as well built structure, nor has any hopeful traces of professionalism been introduced in Nepali sports. Only the right balance of these two factors will inevitably push for the progress of sports sector, but unfortunately, these two drives have suffered, to a great extent, in our country.

Amidst all, we did see a ray of hope when Nepal hosted the eighth South Asian Games, which we could claim, if we like, a success till date. Nepal stole the show with spectacular performances and finished runner-up in the extravaganza. In all, Nepal clinched 34 gold medals. Nepal emerged as the long race horse in power games.

Then, Nepal earned a momentous taekwondo silver medal through Sabita Rajbhandari in the biggest sporting fair of Asia – Asian Games held in Bangkok. Good luck followed Nepalese taekwondo players, when Deepak Bista brought home consecutive double Asiad bronze medals. Deepak also continued his dominance in South Asian Games (SAG) bagging four gold medals in a row.

However, the wildcard entry of a member-secretary into the major sports governing body has toppled development of sports to a great extent. All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) President Ganesh Thapa, who has been observing Nepali sports closely for three decades, also opines that politicization has a great role to slow down the development of Nepali sports. According to Thapa, there have not been any remarkable changes during the last 15 years.

“Some noticeable attempts have been made, but they are like just beating around the bushes,” says Thapa, “Nepal Sports Council (NSC) has fallen short to lead from the front and setting up some exemplary works. NSC is only concerned with central issues.”
“Political changes have direct consequences over sports. Thus, one member-secretary cannot run smoothly, even during his tenure,” adds Thapa, “Stability of authorities can bring positive changes in sports. We have a long way to go.”
Star taekwondo player and four gold medal winner in SAF, Deepak Bista agrees with Thapa. Bista does not see any extraordinary success in recent past. According to him, incompetent and sports unaccustomed people have the stakes as leaders and authoritative figures in sports, which has stagnated its development. “During last decade, inexpert and incapable personalities lead sports sector. Well-educated sports personalities did not come to govern sports bodies. As a result, progress went accordingly,” says Bista.
Bista also gives much stress on politicization. “Political intrusion in sports blocked development of sports,” he says, “We never tried learn from our failures, rather we blamed each other, which led to the decline of performance in SAF, Asian and Olympics games.”
Nepali Karate icon and star player, Deepak Shrestha also agrees with Thapa and Bista. “Dominance of politics in sports ruined players' future and career,” he says. For Shrestha, the successful hosting of 8th SAF Games in Nepal is a lone achievement. Evaluating the last 15 years, Shrestha says, “We are still at the place where we used to be 15 years ago.”
Lack of infrastructures and skilled manpower has been another weak department in Nepalese sports for a long time. There are not sufficient grounds, covered halls or indoor practice halls. Country still has only one national stadium –Dasharath Stadium, which was recently revamped for the first time after it was constructed. But, government has never shown any interest in developing even basic infrastructures. Players cannot afford to go abroad to groom their basics.

If any game has flown high in this front, it is undoubtedly cricket. In the core of all these adversity, cricket has made its own ways in international sports. Cricketers have given every Nepalese a right to dream. A dream that even Nepal can earn name and fame around the globe through games. Nepali Cricket’s dominance in age group events, Asian Cricket and associate events are praiseworthy. If any Nepali has a little hope from Nepalese sports, then the game is cricket. National Cricket team has clinched one after another success and there are many to come. National cricket team skipper Paras Khadka also agrees that the pace of development could not go as predicted. "For me nothing has changed, except improvements in players' performance. We are doing better every time," claims Khadka,
Khadka also complains about the lack of infrastructures. "We don’t have proper grounds. We don’t have any indoor practice net, so our practice session is completely stopped in rainy season," adds Khadka. Talking about cricket team's feat, Khadka says that Shakti Gauchan being called up by IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals, is in itself an exemplary example of the rise in Nepali cricket and its standard.

Recently, Nepali sports have shown a few professionalism sparks through clubs and departmental teams like; Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police Club. Football leagues have huge prize money and clubs are offering handsome signing amount to footballers. Clubs have invested millions of capitals, while there are instances of departmental teams giving jobs to players of different games. Departmental and private clubs, private sectors, business houses have played an immense role to uplift the level of sports during these transitional periods, but government has turned a blind eye to sports sector which can yield a unique identity to the whole nation.

  TNP Sports Bureau    

                                                                                         Shreelochan Rajopadhayaya

                                                                                                 & Chandan Kumar Mandal