Khawas in dilemma

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: National team footballer Bharat Khawas was in dilemma after he received an invitation from i-league outfit Pune FC for a trial.

The influential midfielder-cum-striker has been appearing in the second Lieutenant exams of the Nepali Army. “I passed the written exams today and also received an invitation from the Indian outfit Pune FC,” said Khawas. “As the dates of my next exams for the Nepali Army officer and the trial with the Indian club clash, I have not been able to decide whether to stay here or go to India,” he said.

Khaws said an Indian citizen Arun Ram — currently living in the USA — negotiated for his trial with the Pune FC. “I do not know him (Arun Ram) personally. We talked over telephone and had a chat on internet,” said Khawas, who skippered Nepal in the inaugural edition of the AFC U-22 Championship Group ‘D’ Qualifiers on home soil last month.

“I will request to the Nepali Army and if I am permitted, I will go to India next week,” said Khawas, who will face the challenge from two Australians and a Korean player in the trial with the Pune FC, who have just one slot available in the Asian quota. “I will have to play three matches during the trial,” said Khawas, who recently joined Mega Three Star Club with certain clauses after failing the exams of Assistant Sub-Inspector with the Nepal Police.

“The trial will be quite competitive but I will give my 100 per cent,” said Khawas, adding it would be an opportunity for him to understand more about the Indian League. The 22-year-old player made his international debut in a friendly match with Pakistan on March 25, 2008. He also scored one goal in Nepal’s 2-0 win. He has so far made 17 appearances for the national side scoring four goals.

It was Khawas’ lone goal that helped Nepal beat Afghanistan and qualify for the seventh SAFF Championships finals on home soil last year. Khawas, who scored an equaliser against Jordan in the return leg of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Asia Zone Qualifiers, had also netted the equaliser against Pakistan that send Nepal into the semi-finals of the SAFF Championships in India last year.