Twenty-two years ago, Nepal won a football gold in the 1993 South Asian Federation (SAF) Games. This was their last trophy in the sport until last month, when the Nepalese Under-19 team re-enacted virtually the same 1993 final match versus India and defeated their opponents on penalties to lift the 2015 South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Cup.
One person pivotal in both the 1993 and 2015 victories is then Nepal international and current U-19 coach Bal Gopal Maharjan. A young midfielder at the time, Maharjan was the main feature in the squad and has since turned to passing on his experience as a coach.
“The last time when Nepal won gold was that time as a player. Of all the sports in the games, Nepal won gold only in football and it was very special and unique for us. I am so proud because it took us so long to reach the top again. We have been waiting for this achievement for a long time,” told sc.qa at his home in Kathmandu.
Already looking to the future, the enthusiastic coach added: “The next step is targeting the senior side championship at the SAFF Cup and to climb up the FIFA rankings.” Currently coaching the U-19 side nicknamed The Young Gorkhalis, Maharjan is well aware that many of his players will soon break into the senior side. Eager to remain working with the same group of players, Gopal thinks and hopes his chance will come at the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.
“Qatar 2022 is a big opportunity, but it won’t be easy to get there. It will be a tough task to get through qualification and we need to improve in the FIFA rankings. Right now we have a good foreign manager coaching the senior side, but if I get the opportunity to coach them down the line, then I will give my best to take Nepal to Qatar in 2022. It will be a step-by-step procedure, we need to go through the first qualifying phase, then the second, and then Qatar. Nothing is impossible,” he added.
“The thing that hurts us the most is the lack of infrastructure. We have to build new stadiums and facilities to achieve our goals, and without government support we can’t do anything.”
When told about the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy’s Generation Amazing project, a youth leadership programme which uses football for development programmes and the provision of pitch infrastructure to empower young people, he said: “It’s very good for us. I think it will make football bigger and more people will come to watch in addition to us having better facilities.”
Maharjan also believes that the World Cup returning to Asia will have a continental effect, not only on his home country of Nepal but also on the host nation Qatar. He said: “When the World Cup was in Japan and Korea it was a big success for all of Asia, but Japan and Korea also did well, so I wish Qatar to progress to the second or third round come 2022. Finally, there are many Nepalese in Qatar and I hope they will get the chance to go and watch the games. Not only for leisure, but they can observe and learn as well, whether they are fans or administrators, it will help Nepal and Asian football." (SC.qa)
Former Nepal international and current U-19 coach Bal Gopal Maharjan
