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Sports Scarred

The sports sector mourns the death of King Dipendra, whose love and patronage it will now miss forever

By SANJAYA DHAKAL

Just two days after that fateful Friday night of June 1, late King Birendra was to inaugurate the 5th national games in the Dasarath Stadium.

Athletes paying tribute : Loss of a guardian

But, unfortunately, one week later, the stadium had to organize a condolence meeting to mourn the death of King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya, King Dipendra and other members of the royal family.

Hundreds of athletes, sports authorities and sports lovers thronged the special condolence meeting organized at the Dasarath Stadium in Tripureshwore on June 11. Ministers, officials of the sports council, head of different sports associations, athletes and general public came out in big numbers to pay their tribute to the royalty.

The stadium, which would otherwise have been colorfully hosting the national games, now sports a mournful and deserted look.

The kind patronage given by the royal family, especially by then-Crown Prince Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah, toward the Nepalese sports sector has gone long way in developing the field.

King Dipendra's love for sports was known to all. The interest and enthusiasm with which he visited the sports venues during last years' 8th South Asian Federation Games in Kathmandu was crucial in instilling winning zeal among Nepalese athletes. As a result, Nepal could win record 31 gold medals to stand in second place behind India during the games.

Many observers say that the credit to the successful organizing of 8th SAF games goes largely to late King Dipendra. "The way he was actively present during the games made sure that the organizers worked hard," said a sports official.

Late King Dipendra's active presence during the games made his popularity to grow by leaps and bounds not only among the players but also among the Nepalese youths. the manner in which he used to raise confidence among Nepalese players went down very very well among the youths in the country.

"In King Dipendra's death, Nepalese sports sector has received an irreparable damage. While their majesties' death is a big loss to the country, the sports sector is further ravaged by this unthinkable tragedy," said Ganesh Thapa, President of All Nepal Football Association and former skipper of national football team.

Thapa remembers late King Dipendra's interest in sports especially the football. "When Nepal lost to India in preliminary match during the 8th SAF games, he called me and told not to get demoralized."

Such was his regard to football that even though he was watching other games in Shahanshah hotel that day, late King Dipendra rushed to Dasrath stadium when he heard that Nepal was leading 2-nil in the semi-final match against Maldives. "I still remember how visibly pleased he was to see Nepal win. He ran to the crowd-filled stadium and congratulated coach and players himself," Thapa recollects. "He used to say that he could see Nepal lose in other games but not in football."

Being a former national player and the head of football association, Thapa got many opportunities to know late King Dipendra. "All of us in the sports sector received tremendous support and patronage from him."

Late King Dipendra was the patron of the National Sports Council and his last public appearance, too, was associated with sports. In the afternoon of that fateful day, then Crown Prince Dipendra had visited the swimming and shooting complex in Satdobato to take stock of the preparations for the 5th national games. He often came to stadium to watch football matches.

Thapa remembers the day one year ago when former national players played a friendly match against late Prince Nirajan's team in ANFA Academy ground in Satdobato. "We took turns at playing and at one point when I was back in the player's box after muddying myself, late King Dipendra, who was present to watch the games called me. He then told me that he loves playing football in muddy fields while it is raining. When another official asked if he should bring uniform, late King Dipendra almost agreed but later he said he would have played if he didn't have to go to another important event that day." Late Prince Nirajan scored a goal in that game.

Other members of the royal family, too, were keen on sports. Late Prince Nirajan was an avid swimmer. He used to visit to stadiums to watch football matches with his brother. Late Prince Nirajan's first formal program was when he presented third Rupak Memorial Award to former national player Mani Shah.

Likewise, late Princess Sruti was a black-belt in judo. Her last official program was when she felicitated karate player Sushmita Kandel.

Last year, then Crown Prince Dipendra had gone to Sydney to watch Nepalese players play in the millennium Olympics. "He was always present to buck up the players," said Ganesh Thapa. Just a month ago, he had visited the Asian cross country championship held in Gokarna where he personally approached Nepalese runner Gyan Bahadur Bohara who fainted due to exertion and asked about his condition.

Thapa also says he was impressed with late King Dipendra's simple behavior. "Once in an unofficial program in Godavari school I met him and we were talking about football. Just then an old lady passed us by and she pointed her finger (at him) saying wasn't it the Crown Prince upon which he just smiled and acknowledged. There was no sign of any royal arrogance around him."

In the aftermath of June 1 killings in the palace, the sports sector has lost its patron and guide. "The damage to the sector is simply impossible to be repaired anytime soon," said Thapa. "We feel like orphans."

As the whole country lies in tatters, the time demands all related to the sports field to come together and move ahead by taking cue from late King Dipendra. "We must continue to seek inspiration from his patronage and help fulfill his dream of placing Nepal on international sports map," Thapa said.