NOV 07 - The past week marked a remarkable achievement in Nepali football. Twenty-year-old Anil Gurung, a member of the Nepali national team, signed a three-year deal of IRs. 6.3 million (Rs. 10 million) with India’s top flight football club Shillong Lajong, making him the highest paid sportsperson in the history of Nepali sports.

Gurung, who was on the verge of signing a contract with England’s sixth division side Woking Football Club missed the chance after failing to produce a work permit. Now, he has not only made a name for himself but has also paved the way for more players to join the I-League (the Indian football league). Should he rise to prominence on Indian soil, the result will be rewarding not just for him but for his fellow footballers in Nepal, who may capitalise on eager Indian clubs that are eager to introduce Nepali players in the I-League.

Playing in India’s top league which today features players from South American and African countries like Brazil and Nigeria, is a tough job for a Nepali player who has been out of regular football for the last three years due to the absence of a national league. But all the hardships he will face in India is sure bring the best out of him. Former Nepali nationals who have taken their skills abroad believe playing in a foreign land is rewarding despite all the odds.

Take for instance, Upendra Man Singh, former national captain, who had a lengthy experience playing abroad in Thailand, Bangladesh and India, establishing himself as one of the best keepers of his time in all of South Asia. Singh shares, “The standards are high and a player has no choice but to rise to that level to keep his contract alive. If a player does not perform his best, the clubs will simply terminate his contract as they have hundreds of players to choose from.”

Bhim Thapa, a football coach, is optimistic about Gurung’s showing in India. Gurung, being a striker, will be judged by the number of goals he scores in the league, he says. From his experience with Gurung, Thapa described him as a “natural talent”. He adds, “Anil has the killer instincts required of a good striker. That is the difference between him and the rest of the players. Besides that, his brief trial session in England will prove beneficial for him in India.” Thapa is not the only one who has high hopes from Gurung, whose skills had pleased even German coach Thomas Flath.

Many may argue that Gurung would have done better had he continued his football in England. But Thapa argues otherwise. He says Gurung’s chances of making it into the top leagues in England would be more difficult considering the quality of English football. Instead, in India, “things are different.” A little hard work can earn fetch him both name and fame. And he can always be available for the national side when playing in India, an unlikely proposition if Gurung had shifted to England. Thapa sees a glimpse of Gurung in the U-19 player Nirajan Malla and is absolutely sure that if Malla takes football seriously, he could also reach new heights of Nepali footballing glory.

Hari Khadka, former national captain who has played a lot of club football in South Asia, seconds Thapa. He applauded Gurung’s success at a young age. “He is a remarkable player.” Khadka believes India is the ideal place to learn the trade, expecially from the African players who have earned stardom playing in the Indian league.

Who is ANil gurung?

Anil Gurung was 16 when he joined Sahara Academy in Pokhara. After spending two years at the academy, he made his debut in the Martyrs' Memorial League representing Brigade Boys before moving on to Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC). He left MMC for NRT for a record fee of Rs. 312,000 per annum. He was called for the national squad in 2007. Since then he has been a regular member of the national team.

Posted on: 2009-11-07 09:09

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