The 51-year-old veteran, popularly known as YB Ghale, has been bedridden for the last four years after suffering from stroke.[break]
ANFA, the most powerful and financially sound sports association in the country, has not provided any support for Ghale´s treatment.
"I have not got support from ANFA or any other institution," said Ghale at a function in the capital.
Ghale´s wife Jamuna KC received $2000 for his treatment from Nepali football fans residing outside Nepal. The amount was raised under the coordination of Rohan Byanjankar, a former player and life-long member of Friends Club of Lalitpur, who stays in the United States of America.
Ghale, considered as Nepal´s all-time greatest footballer, has his right side of body paralyzed and is unable to move by himself. Ghale has undergone treatment at the Apollo Hospital in New Delhi for nearly eight times after he was referred for treatment in Delhi by Norvic Hospital.
According to Ghale, who scored the first ever international goal for Nepal, he has spent about Rs 2.8 million for his treatment so far and he needs to go for treatment every six month.
The Nepali international midfielder for eight years since 1982 to 1990 had scored the first international goal for Nepal against Kuwait in 1982 during the Asian Games in New Delh, India. The goal he scored is also remembered as one of the best goals for Nepal in international tournament.
Ghale, son of late Gaje Ghale, the Victoria Cross recepient, was the key member of the Nepali squad which won gold medal in football during the First South Asian Games in 1985. It is the greatest achievement of Nepali football team in international arena.
Ghale who ended his career as player in 1994, featured in top flight domestic football from Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT), Friends Club, Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation (RNAC) and Mahendra Police Club (now Nepal Police Club).
His continued to contribute to Nepali football after his retirement as a player. He served as an executive member of ANFA for a term in 1996. He was also the technical director of ANFA and also the coach of top flight Jawalakhel Youth Club in 1995.
Ghale, father of a five-year-old son, shoulders the responsibility of a family of five. He was speechless when asked about his feelings for being ignored by ANFA after spending the prime-time of his life for football.
Along with Rohan Byanjankar, Achyut Timilsina, Mahesh Shrestha, Bishal Paudel, Jeevan Paudel, Bijay Gurung (Hong Kong), Bhes Pun, Atul Bhattarai, Arjun Aryal (Canada), Sitaram Chaudhary (Qatar) and Dhruba Bakhati (UAE) contributed in raising the amount.
Speaking during the function, Byanjankar said the fund was raised to honor Ghale´s contribution to Nepali football. He also pledged to support football in future as well. According to Byanjankar, he sold T-shirts in different cities of America and also used his personal funds to raise the funds.
Upendra Man Singh, the president of Nepali National Football Players Association, said, "It is disappointing to see that none of the people residing in the country have cared for him."
Sports kits to Friends Club
Rohan Byanjankar, the former player and life long member of Friends Club, donated a set of jersey to Friends Club at the same function on Tuesday. Byanjankar handed over jerseys to Ratna Sumsher Rana, the president of Friends Club.
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