As fans and spectators are the lifelines of any discipline in sports, the presence of huge audience during the knockout stage, especially the final and few other group stage matches proved that football still remains the most loved sports in the land.[break]
However, the mismanagement could lead Nepali football share the fate of volleyball -- one of the most popular games in the country about four decades ago -- which is struggling to have a pride of place in the pantheon of popular sports.
The huge cash prizes to the top four teams -- one million to winners and half the amount to runners up and Rs 100,000 each to semifinalists -- was a motivating factor for the participating teams.
The individual cash prizes of Rs 50,000 each to the best coach and players in four different positions -- forward, midfield, defense, goalkeeper -- and a motorbike to the best player of the tournament provided by the organizers All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) also gave a boost to the players´ confidence.
However, the best players´ selection could not be free of controversies. Rather than motivating the players, it added to the frustration of some footballers.
Of the five different awards, three went to the runners up Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC), two to winners Three Star and one to semifinalists Nepal Police Club. Some of them even claimed that the decision to distribute prizes was taken inside a closed room rather than judging the players on the basis of performance.
MMC star striker Santosh Sahukhala was declared the best forward of the tournament. He netted altogether four goals scoring in two matches playing all six matches of the event.
Another contender of the prize, Raj Kumar Ghising of Three Star had also scored four goals in three matches. He had scored twice in their semifinal match against Jawalakhel in their 2-1 comeback victory and in final he had set the pass to score when Three Star equalized the match during regular time.
Buddha Chemjong of Three Star was the highest scorer of the tournament with five goals in his name. He scored in four matches and was the person to rescue Three Star in the final, when he hit equalizer against MMC to turn the match towards tiebreaker.
In the scenario, awarding Sahukhala who missed crucial spot-kicks twice in a tiebreaker during the semifinal has surprised many spectators and football lovers. Sahukhala had succeeded to score only in two group stage matches playing all six of the event.
The best defense award conferred on Rabin Shreshta of Nepal Police Club also came as a shocking piece of news to spectators present in the final. Bishal Tamang of Jawalakhel, Tashi Tshering of MMC and Biraj Maharjan of Three Star were other contenders.
Controversies on referee´s decisions continued even in this event as earlier events. Not only the players and team officials but also the spectators complained about the referee´s decision. Jawalakhel coach Rajaram KC blamed that his side were defeated in the semifinal due to poor conduct of the referee in the field.
The organizers had separated the parapet for the supporters of the two teams. The parapet is arranged in a similar fashion in prestigious European and other football tournaments. Such practices help reduce tension and clash among supporters of two different teams. It is a commendable act of ANFA.
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