”Does morality allow those who cannot treat national athletes to hold office?”
What you should know
Savitra Bhandari 'Samba' is the best player in the history of Nepali football. Her performances and statistics on the field say so. She is currently going through a serious injury. She has not been able to get the treatment she wanted. In such a situation, she wrote emotionally on social media on Monday, 'This injury has exhausted me physically and mentally, but I believe I will return. Tired, not defeated.'
Savitra, who is also the captain of the women's national team, has appealed for financial support as she needs surgery to heal her injury. She has also said that she needs 80 thousand US dollars for the surgery on her injured knee. She has been out of the field for seven weeks.
She was injured while playing for Wellington Phoenix in the Australian 'A' League. Her ACL was torn in a match against Brisbane Roar. This is the second time this has happened to her. She wrote, 'My knee has a serious injury to both the graft and MCL that were previously removed after surgery. For this, I have to undergo another complicated surgery.'
Savitra has also accused the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) of neglecting her through social media. She wrote, 'This time, I did not receive the promised support from the ANFA leadership. Although the surgery date was set at the club's initiative 3 weeks after the injury, ANFA said that it would try on its own. However, ANFA did not proceed with the process accordingly. Despite my repeated attempts, it was difficult to contact them.'
The New Zealand club is saying that it is ready to treat him at a local hospital there. However, Samba's wish is that since the injury is serious, he should be treated at the Aspetar Hospital in Qatar. The club has also released the amount received from the insurance in his name. She adds, 'But since that amount is insufficient for my surgery and 7-8 months of rehab, I have come to ask for support from the general supporters.'
Meanwhile, ANFA issued a press release on Monday and stated that it is taking necessary steps for Samba's treatment. Stating that their serious attention was drawn to his writings on social media, ANFA stated that he is the pride of Nepali football and a heritage. ANFA also stated that it has taken necessary steps and requested the Qatar Football Association, stating that it is an international practice that if a player is injured in professional club football, the concerned club is responsible for his treatment.
But former ANFA president Karma Tshering Sherpa has recalled that in the past, when Samba tore his ACL while playing for Nepal APF Club, the highest football body itself had him treated in a hospital in Qatar, and has questioned on social media, ‘Does morality allow those who cannot treat national players to remain in office?’
As soon as the appeal was released on social media, members of the national team, national and international football players and officials have expressed solidarity in her support. Similarly, various organizations and individuals have also expressed their commitment to provide financial support. They all have one demand, that Savitra be treated as soon as possible in the hospital of her choice. Their wish is that she be seen on the field soon.
