SAFF C’ship uncertain

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KATHMANDU, Jan 11: The fate of this year’s South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship hangs in balance following a decision by the football world governing body FIFA on Thursday to suspend Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF).

SAFF Championship, the biggest football event in the region is due to start from January 26 in Bangladesh.

The Associated Press, in its news dispatched from Geneva, referring to FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren, reported that Bangladesh is barred from "all international soccer activities until further notice. "He cited ‘government interference’ in the national association," AP reported. FIFA had informed BFF of the decision by letter Thursday, following a decision by the FIFA emergency committee.

Last month Bangladesh federation president S A Sultan fired the body’s elected executive committee and appointed a new one that FIFA considers a breach of its rules.

Sultan was appointed to his post by the government of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Sultan is a member of parliament for Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party, which won a landslide election victory in October.

The Asia Football Confederation (AFC) had earlier warned Bangladesh to reinstate the elected committee by Jan 8 or face suspension.

However, Ganesh Thapa, the president of FIFA/AFC affiliated ANFA, hopes the matter would be resolved soon.

"I’ve called general-secretary of SAFF, Sirazul Islam Bachu, here to discuss the matter," said Thapa, who is the president of SAFF. "We’ll call a SAFF executive committee meeting in a few days."

He told The Kathmandu Post that the committee will look into solutions to hold the tournament. "I’m hopeful we’d find a way to stage the tournament in Bangladesh as per schedule," he said. "The tournament will go ahead at any cost. The federation would choose some other venue if Bangladesh fail to hold the tournament."

FIFA has adopted a tough stance in the past on alleged political interference in soccer. The world body says its rules aim to protect the independence of soccer federations, especially in countries where they are subject to political control and soccer chiefs risk being replaced if the government changes.

The fear that haunt even Nepali football fans owing to longstanding ANFA dispute.

But Geeta Rana, the president of National Sports Council recognised ANFA, rules out any chances that Nepal could be subject to similar action from FIFA and AFC.

"We’ve followed every FIFA and AFC regulation," she said. "Our committee is elected through the most democratic of elections held in accordance as per lines suggested by FIFA."

Thapa who rivals her with the parallel football governing body in the country too sees no reason whatsoever for FIFA to act against Nepal. "We have been recognised by FIFA and AFC," he explained. "And our regular participation at World Cup qualifiers and other FIFA-held programmes simply rules out the chances of Nepal facing similar action."

Mahavir humble Ratna Laxmi

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KATHMANDU, Jan 11: Inspired by Dipendra Chaudhary’s century and Monish Shrestha’s explosive 96 runs, Mahavir Cricket Club thrashed Ratna Laxmi Cricket Club by 198 runs in the Birendra Memorial triangular cricket tournament on Friday.

Chaudhary scored 141 runs off 94 balls while Shrestha notched up 96 in just 46 balls as Mahavir piled up 346 runs in 40 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat.

Shrestha was particularly severe on the Ratna Laxmi bowlers as he belted 10 boundaries and hit five sixes. Chaudhary, on the other hand, was comparatively patient with three sixes. Chaudhay received a cash prize of Rs 1,000 set up by Diwakar Ghale, president of Mahavir Cricket Club while Shrestha received Rs 500.

Batting for an improbable win, the minnows Ratna Laxmi batsmen could hardly stand against the star studded MCC bowling attack. The highest scorer for Ratna Laxmi team was Bipin Shrestha with 33 runs.

Raju Khadka, who was the only failure in the Mahavir batting line up with a golden duck to his name, snapped three wickets for 24 runs as Manish Lohani took two wickets.

Sankata, NRT advance

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KATHMANDU, Jan 11: The Sankata Boys Sports Club registered a 4-2 win over Kathmandu Club while New Road Team (NRT) demolished Boys’ Union 4-0 in the 1st Birendra Memorial Invitational football tournament on Friday.

The match between Sankata and Kathmandu Club turned out to be an interesting affair when both the teams found the net in the early minutes of the match. In the 4th minute, Sankata’s Suresh Manandhar coolly put the ball inside rivals net, when Kathmandu Club’s goalkeeper Manish Hada punched back a Salyan Khadgi’s shot straight to him.

But no sooner Sankata boys took the lead than a Raghu Prajapati’s free-kick, taken from 25-yards, saw Kathmandu Club equalise.

The see-saw battle continued for a while. In the 32nd minute, though, Deepak Rana, taking a cross off Bikash Narayan Shrestha, released a pass to Salyan Khadgi who buried a mighty shot into the net.

In the 43rd minute, Sankata extended their lead to 3-1 through a gem of a goal by Srawas Manandhar. His curled left footer pounded the net leaving goalie Hada a mere spectator.

A couple of powerful shots by Kathmandu Club’s strikers hit the cross bar thwarting their attempt of fight back. In their quest of goals, the Kathmandu left more loop holes in their defence. In the 79th minute, Bikash Narayan Shrestha took the ball from centre and dribbled past three players to score a magnificent goal.

In the 82nd minute, Raj Kumar Ghishing scored through a header. But that wasn’t enough as Sankata won the game 4-2.

Earlier NRT, spurred by Hari Thakuri’s brilliance, drubbed Boys’ Union 4-0 to set a quarterfinal encounter with Sikkim-11. NRT’s opened the score in the 28th minute through a goal from Ramesh Sinkaman. His 25-yard powerful shot found the Boys’ Union keeper and captain, Sunder Thapa, who fumbled the ball and let it into the net.

In the second half, NRT scored three goals, one of which came as a suicide goal off Boys’ Union last defender Shekhar Thapa. Thapa miscued the ball inside the net in his desperate attempt to save a Hari Thakuri’s shot.

In the 83rd minute, Thakuri made it 3-0. Substitute Mandip Maharjan scored the final goal in the 88th minute.

Jawalakhel Youth Club will take on departmental team Trivhuban Club while Friends’ Club is slated to play against Boys’ Sports Club on Saturday.

Onus lies on top order to deliver goods in NZ

By Somesh Verma

KATHMANDU, Jan 11:Prior to the Youth Asia Cup 2001, even ardent cricket fans here were reluctant to bet on the
home side, given their weak link – batting. However, the Nepali colts proved their critics wrong as they raised themselves up with some good batting to emerge as the winners.

As Nepal move on to face new challenge in the Youth World Cup beginning January 14 in New Zealand, much will depend on how the team’s top order batsmen fare against the opposition bowling. For that would decide the totals Nepal might put up on the board as well as chase them. Here we have penpics on the Nepali Under-19 top order.

Kanishka Chaugain

Cricket runs in the veins of Kanishka Chaugain, for he was inspired to take up cricket by his father Sushil Chaugain, a well-known cricketer of yesteryears.

Selected for the opening slot in the team, he will have to bear the bulk of responsibility when it comes to providing solidity to Nepali batting. Chaugain,15, has received praises from all flanks
for possessing shots all round
the wicket, especially on the front foot.

However, he has been criticised by many for playing his shots a little too early and not converting good starts into big scores. He has, on several occasions, been getting out in mid 20s and 30s. Yet many would not forget his half-century that came against Malaysia in the final of the Youth Asia Cup.

A wonderful batsman with a good technique that he is, he can do wonders in the Youth World Cup if he keeps in mind his coach Roy Dias’ word of advice: "Keep your wicket intact for the 50 overs and it wouldn’t be difficult to return from the crease with a century against your name."

Yashwant Subedi

Yashwant Subedi, as in the Youth Asia Cup, will give company to Chaugain in the World Cup as well. A product of the Under-17 side that played in the ICC tournament in Bangladesh last year, this 16-year-old lad from Biratnagar is considered by many as a good foil for Chaugain.

Subedi may have had a forgettable outing in the Youth Asia Cup, but in the recent tour to Indore, he proved his mettle being the most consistent batsman against the teams that had Ranji players in their ranks.

A strong batsman on the backfoot, he exudes class with shots square of the wicket. However, he has shown a hint of weakness in his footwork. He looks out of sorts against the slow moving ball. Yet, he seems to be at ease playing fast bowlers, a point that is more likely to help him against the bowlers from Pakistan and England.

Bardan Chalise

Bardan Chalise is one of the most heard of names in the club cricket of Kathmandu. A genuine strokeplayer and the vice-captain in the side, his ability to bowl left arm spin makes him an ideal choice for the number-three batsman.

Chalise, batting at his favourite position during the Youth Asia Cup 2001, was criticised for trying to hit every ball out of the ground. Experts say that he needs to adjust his balance, especially of his head, to get better results.

His mentor Roy Dias expresses satisfaction over the way he has been working hard to remove his flaws.

The best thing about Chalise’s batting, as the specialists say, is his approach towards game – he goes for his shots regardless of the reputation of the bowlers. As an occasional left arm spinner, he has taken enough wickets in club cricket to prove himself as useful player, if not a genuine allrounder.