Lama left Nepal in search of opportunities abroad and reached USA in the early 90´s. Lama and seven other taekwondo players currently residing in the USA attended a program organized by Nepal Taekwondo Association (NTA) and handed over gifts to the taekwondo players selected for the upcoming 16th Asian Games.[break]
"Some players settled in the USA while others opted for opportunities elsewhere. It might have helped the individual players but the sports and the country has lost a lot," said Deep Raj Gurung, senior taekwondo coach and general-secretary of NTA.
Not only Bidhan Lama but also Sabita Rajbhandari, the only Nepali player to claim silver medal in Asian Games, is also currently residing in the US. "Around 30 to 35 taekwondo players are in the USA currently," said Lama.
A group of taekwondo players residing in the US recently formed International Nepalese Taekwondo Association and announced prizes on Tuesday in Kathmandu for current taekwondo players if they win medals in the upcoming Asiad. "We will award Rs 200,000 to a gold medalist and silver and gold medalists will be given Rs 100,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively," said Lama.
"They are trying to help current players and NTA but we could have achieved a lot had they stayed in Nepal," said coach Gurung.
Lama has his own story that led him to migrate to the US. "I could not take my education ahead here since I was totally involved in sports. I had a family to look after. I didn´t see any opportunity other than heading toward the USA," said Lama.
"Baikuntha Dai (Baikuntha Manandhar) won three gold medals in the South Asian Games and he is still laboring hard but he is still riding bicycle. At least we didn´t have to share such a fate," said Lama.
Coach Gurung, however, has a different take. "They might have secured their future but they are here to fulfill their desire of social recognition and prestige," said Gurung. "However, I agree that there were less opportunity in their time." Gurung said that current players are able to understand the changed scenario and they would not take medals in Asiad as an opportunity to settle down abroad.
"In the last five years players have seen what Sangina Baiddhya and Deepak Bista have achieved and the social recognition they have achieved. Private sector is awarding the talented players and this has stopped players from seeking opportunities abroad," Gurung said.
"It is not only or money that we have settled down in the US. I have received an educational degree and I have a job of a taekwondo trainer in the US police force. I have a social recognition there too," said Lama.
Coach Gurung blamed the absence of a concrete policy to regulate the sports sector behind the migration of talented players. "It is sad that the sports authorities are busy quarrelling even as Asiad is just round the corner. These sorts of activity demotivates the players and compels them to look for greener pastures," said Gurung referring to the current fallout between Nepal Olympic Committee and National Sports Council.
"Taekwondo has achieved what other games have not done for the country but taekwondo. But it has got nothing from government and sports authorities except regular assistance. In such scenario, what a player could think?" questioned Gurung.
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