KASKI, NOVEMBER 12
Former national football team member Basanta Gauchan has established BG Football Academy in his hometown of Rithepani in Pokhara Municipality.
According to Gauchan, who has been living in Japan for two decades, informed the academy covers the area of 15-ropani land and it could train a total of 200 players at one time. Academy Director Rajendra Tamang and chief coach Shambhu KC had started training three months ago and the academy was formally inaugurated today.
All Nepal Football Association Senior Vice-president Bir Bahadur Khadka, Pokhara Municipality Ward No 27 President Purna Bahadur Gurung, Gandaki Province Sports Council Member Dil Bahadur Gurung and Academy President Gauchan inaugurated the training facility by providing scholarship and kits to Bigyan Bhagya Bhujel.
ANFA Senior Vice-president Khadka thanked Gauchan for establishing the academy and said the football governing body was ready to support him. "The ANFA is also starting training to young players aged 8-15 in Kathmandu in our bid to develop the sport from grassroots level. The ANFA will support the academy in all possible forms including coaches and kits," said Khadka. Pokhara Municipality Ward No 27 President Gurung said Rithepani got recognition after the academy was established.
Gauchan also played for U-16 and U-23 teams in Nepal and he rose to stardom from the 1999 SAF Games held in Kathmandu. Gauchan worked as a coach at Funroots Football Academy for a long time and currently he has been looking after youth team of Chofuotsuka Soccer Club of Tokyo.
Gauchan said he understood the real meaning of youth teams only after reaching Japan. "In Japan, they train kids from the age of four and provide exposure to them from 12. I decided to establish the academy here as I think we need to follow the similar training model for our kids," said Gauchan. He also informed that the academy had already signed agreements with various academies and football-related organisations in Japan.
A version of this article appears in the print on November 13, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.
