The probe committee is yet to launch investigation and all we can do is to keep our fingers crossed till the committee submits its report.[break]
In retrospect, though the Nepali sports fraternity made few achievements, the year 2010 was mostly marred by controversies, mismanagement and failures.
A 220-member jumbo squad visited Guangzhou, China for the Asian Games but claimed only a bronze medal. Likewise, another jumbo squad of around 400 people, including 278 athletes took part in the 11th South Asian Games but settled for the fifth position with 8 gold, 9 silver and 20 bronze medals.
Similarly, Nepal’s participation in Youth Asian Games, Youth Olympics and regional competitions was not encouraging either.
The dismal performance of the Nepali players in the year 2010 speaks volumes about mismanagement that plagues Nepali sports.
Nepal should learn from England where football pundits and media pulled no punches while reviewing the performance of the English football team following their humiliating defeat against Germany in the World Cup 2010. They pointed out that England was behind Germany, Spain and Italy in terms of progress made in youth development programs and proposed sports authorities to initiate corrective measures.
In the past, we have seen school tournaments and regional competition like Birendra Shield set a high standard. But the recently held Presidents’ Cup (government-funded school level sports competition) has disenchanted us all. The national level competition of the Presidents’ Cup had already been completed even as the district level competitions were taking place.
Nepali sports authorities have failed to adopt an all-embracing “philosophy” for youth development the way developed countries have been doing over the years. On the other hand, private sector -- mainly schools, higher secondary schools and colleges -- have set their focus only on games like basketball, which is popular in urban areas but does not have much scope.
All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has been running a football academy. However, ANFA itself is hindering the growth of young footballers outside the academy as it has not come up with age group tournaments.
Nepal has been achieving success in women’s football in the South Asian competitions but ANFA has yet to start women’s league and girls’ football tournaments at the domestic level. If this continues, we are unlikely to achieve much.
Nepal’s participation in World Cup would remain a distant dream as long as Cricket Association of Nepal does not conduct more domestic competitions.
While the National Sports Council and the Nepal Olympic Committee are at loggerheads over minor issues like appointment of chef de mission for international events, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has remained a mute spectator.
We are in the twenty-first century and it is time to celebrate and make new resolutions. Thus, let us talk something positive, make resolutions and vow to keep it.
If sports authorities take stock of their past mistakes and focus on bringing youth development projects, we can expect to take big strides in every game and tournament in the future. The government, chiefly the Ministry of Youth and Sports, should move ahead toward introducing sports in the school curriculum, allocate adequate budget and resources for the sports sector and monitor sports bodies without tampering with the Olympic charter.
Sports bodies, mainly national associations, should focus on initiating youth development projects, regulating annual tournaments and encouraging private sector for sponsorship.
Talking about events, Nepali men’s football team has set the target of qualifying for the final round of AFC Challenge Cup in 2011 as ANFA has yet to confirm Nepal’s participation in Olympic qualifiers and World Cup qualifiers. Likewise, AFC U-16 and AFC U-19 qualifiers hold much significance for Nepal’s youth footballers. ANFA’s ambitious project of conducting National Football League could be the most awaited football event for 2011.
Nepali cricketers will participate in ACC U-19 Elite Cup and ACC Women’s Cricket in February in Bangkok and Kuwait respectively. Likewise, ACC T-20 Elite Cup, scheduled to be held in Nepal, is also a much awaited event for men cricketers.
London Olympic qualifiers of the every other game are also important events for Nepali athletes.
We may expect the best results in all these events but the bitter truth is no magical changes are likely to occur in 2011as well.
Finally, unless and until we strengthen domestic events, focus on youth development projects and ensure smooth management of sports bodies, we’ll have the same upsetting results like 2010 in the years to come.
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