Players' Dashain plans

KATHMANDU, Oct 4: Even as the Dashain fever has gripped the country, national football players and participants of the First South Asian Beach Games to be held in Hambantota, Sri Lanka are busy preparing for the games. Republica caught up with some of the popular sports personalities of the country to know about their plans for Dashain.[break]

Shreya Dhital (Swimming)

I am traveling to Chennai for the Inter School Swimming Championship to be held from October 5-10. I am undergoing swimming training at Bull Club in Nakkhu. Though I love tika I won´t be here for tika and I will miss my family. I know no other card games other than

Jutpatti. I only drink Coke (soft drink), not alcohol, as I am only 16. I could not play in the Sixth Pramod Cup Open Swimming Championship held in September but now I have completely recovered.

Sagar Thapa (National football team captain)

I don´t have any specific plans for Dashain as the national team is undergoing training for the upcoming SAFF Championship to be held from December 1-15 in New Delhi, India. The team has been training from 9 am to 12 pm. This time the whole national team is focusing more on the SAFF Championship than Dashain and Tihar. It has been a long time (almost 17 years) since we last won the SAFF Championship.

The whole team is working hard to lift the trophy this time. We are leaving for some international friendly matches on October 8, two days after tika. During free time I am planning to visit some temples in the capital with my wife and son and hang out with my friends. I used to play cards during Dashain, but I don´t have enough time to play cards this year.

Deepika Upreti (Basketball)

We are training twice a day for the basketball event of the First South Asian Beach Games, and so this time I have not felt like Dashain has arrived. But I don´t regret it and I have taken this tournament as a great opportunity of my life. I am free only for three to four hours during day time and I take rest during that period. I along with the whole team have been totally concentrating on the games.

Paras Khadka (Cricket)

I don´t have any specific plans for Dashain. I will enjoy the festival with my family and friends. I may go on a short visit around the Kathmandu Valley with my friends. I neither drink alcohol and nor play cards. This time I will enjoy Dashain freely as there is no training or international tournament during Dashain.

Graham Roberts (National football team coach)

I don´t have any specific plans for Dashain. The national team is training for a few more days and I am focusing on that. I have instructed the boys not to drink alcohol and to be serious about the SAFF Championship. We need to focus on the game. During my career as a player, I never got the opportunity to enjoy Christmas, our greatest festival. I have come here to win medal for Nepal. I don´t drink and play cards.

Bharat Khawas (Football)

Training for the SAFF Championship and upcoming friendly matches is my top priority. Besides that, I will hang around with my friends in Kathmandu. I don´t have any family members in Kathmandu. I will play cards with friends if I get the opportunity.

Sanju Magar (Volleyball)

I will visit my village in Myagdi to receive blessings from my grandfather on this auspicious occasion. People who are far from their families reunite during Dashain. This festival brings family members closer. We also show our respect to our elders and in turn get their blessings.

Nery Thapa (Cricket)

I can´t celebrate Dashain at home as a close relative has died. Therefore, I am planning to hang around my hometown Nepalgunj with my friends. There isn´t any cricket training before Tihar, so I will be training only after that. I know only kitty game (cards) and if I get the opportunity I will not miss.