CHENNAI: Thirty-six years is more than a generation. For squash in Nepal, that’s an eternity. When the Asian Championships were held for the first time in 1981, Nepal was part of it. Since then? Nada. No player from the country took part in the event for the next 17 editions. That changed when Arhant Keshar Simha and Amrit Thapa took to the court at the Indian Squash Academy on Wednesday. You will never be shocked to know what happened next.
They lost, managing to win only 23 points between them in six games. But this story isn’t about how competitive they were. This is about the insurmountable odds they have had to beat just to be here. At one point, Amrit feels the need to apologise for not having a world ranking. “Sorry,” he says. “I don’t have a world ranking.” At another point, the stark reality of the situation hits you like a freight train with a brake problem. “There were many private clubs having their own squash courts, but for one reason or another, many of them shut down.
All we have now is just one club with four courts.” Before you start wondering, there are just four international- standard courts in the entire country. To put things in perspective, there are about 10 courts at the ISA itself. Take Amrit’s sojourn to the city to be a part of the event. He had to take funding from three entities — the National Sports Council (part of the government), Nepal Squash Rackets Association and his sponsor. It seems an awful lot of effort for almost no recognition, but the 21-year-old, who won gold at the National Games to be a part of this competition, dismisses the question.
“I held a squash racket for the first time when I was eight. Since then, I have always wanted to become a professional.” Not many in Nepal take that route. Luckily for Amrit, he knows whose path to take — Hira Bahadur Thapa, his father. Born and raised in Bakrang, Gorkha, Hira fell in love with the sport after he was entrusted with the job of looking after one of the clubs (Battisputali). This was in 1985. He started practising. Then he started winning against players who were members of the club. Before long, he was declared as the undisputed king of squash in the valley. Now, Hira is coach of the national team. “I have the support of my friends and family. If not in Nepal, maybe somewhere in Europe. Or UAE.”
swaroop@newindianexpress.com