Help Ranjan Bista

“If I have contributed anything to my country, then please help me,” pleaded former footballer Ranjan Bista at a press conference in the capital on Saturday. Bista already has had one kidney removed after a problem occurred. He needs to take four tablets everyday, each of which costs Rs 3,000. His daily medical expense is about Rs 15,000. It is equal to his month’s salary as handball coach, Bista said. The doctors have said that he can be cured, provided he gets proper treatment and medicine. Hence, this former goalkeeper who represented Nepal in international matches in the 70s and the 80s was forced to go public with his appeal.



That a star footballer suffering from bone and lung cancer has to resort to press conference to draw attention of the authorities after being denied assistance by agencies which have the primary responsibility to do so is a telling statement on how we treat our sports heroes. It also shows how selfish we as individuals and organizations can be. A person who has contributed so much to the game that Nepalis are so passionate about is now left in the lurch. The appeal of the 56-year-old former international goalkeeper has fallen on deaf years.



The footballer has requested the government, the National Sports Council, the Nepal Olympic Committee and, of course, the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) where some of his contemporary footballers are now office-bearers. The callous attitude and negligence that they have shown is shameful and deserves condemnation. What example are the government and these sporting bodies setting? That a person, after having served his/her nation, will be forgotten no matter how helpless they are? But, of course, in a country where even serving sportspersons do not get proper attention, it comes as no surprise that past heroes are treated in such a shabby manner. This does not send a good signal to the sportspersons. Nor does it reflect well on the authorities concerned.



Some individuals and organizations have already pitched in with their help. We laud their efforts. The government should immediately provide interim relief to Bista. The sports bodies, ANFA in particular, should take the lead in arranging funds for the footballer’s treatment. We also suggest setting up a fund to help the retired sportspersons in need. The Ministry of Sports and the sports bodies should start working on setting up of the fund under some kind of trust with representation from the ministry officials, retired and current sportspersons, sports bodies and medical professionals. The corporate world can also provide financial assistance. Do whatever it takes but do not leave past sportspersons in the lurch.

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