Kathmandu, October 25

The United Kingdom chapter of Nepal National and International Players Association today handed over financial support to former footballer YB Ghale, who has been suffering from paralysis.

NNIPA-UK President Siddhartha Bikram Chhetry handed over Rs 200,000 to Ghale, the first international goal scorer from Nepal. Ghale had scored against Kuwait during the 1982 Asia Games at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi and he was the key member of the national team that won gold medal in the 1985 South Asian Federation Games in Dhaka.

The former member of ANFA, Technical Director of ANFA Academy and coach of Jawalakhel Youth Club, Ghale was part of the national team from 1982 to 1990. He played for Ranipokhari Corner Team, Friends Club, Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation and Mahendra Police Club in domestic football and won Tribhuvan Challenge Shield twice with Friends. The 61-year-old Ghale has been suffering from paralysis for the last 11 years and his condition further deteriorated following surgery to remove stone from gallbladder four months ago.

After handing over the financial support, former footballer Siddhartha Bikram Chhetri said the amount was raised from the good-hearted friends in the UK. “We do not feel good when we start raising funds for such causes but we have to do this as the legendary players like YB Ghale do not get proper attention from the association and government,” said Chhetry.

He also urged the government and ANFA to come up with certain policy for the treatment of players. “We have been helping athletes and sportspersons when they need our support but it is the responsibility of the government and national associations to take care of the athletes who have contributed for the nation,” he added.

ANFA Vice-president Upendra Man Singh said they met with Ghale after the new team was elected and they were eager to support the legendary player. “We are trying to formulate policy to support former players and hopefully that will happen soon,” he added.

Ghale’s contemporary and former national team skipper Raju Kaji Shakya said he felt sorry whenever a certain group or players raise funds for the treatment of legends. “I personally do not like it and I might never ask for such kind of support. The government and national association should take complete responsibility rather than leaving the players to beg for their treatment,” he said.

NNIPA President Deepak Shrestha urged the ANFA to take responsibility of Ghale’s treatment. “It’s sad that a legendary footballer like Ghale is not getting proper attention from the association,” he said. Former president of Nepal Boxing Association Rajeev Shrestha thanked NNIPA-UK for its relentless support to Nepal’s sports fraternity.