Foreign players stranded in Nepal amid political unrest

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Sept. 11: Foreign players have been stranded in Nepal following violent political unrest triggered by the Gen Z protest on 8 September.

The Bangladesh national football team arrived in Nepal to play two international friendly matches against the Nepali national side. Similarly, foreign women’s volleyball players from Brazil, Greece, Thailand, the Netherlands, the USA and other countries were in Pokhara for the second edition of the Everest Women’s Volleyball League (EWVL). Bangladesh played their first friendly on 6 September at Dasharath Stadium and were scheduled to play the second on 9 September. 

However, the match was cancelled after more than 20 people died in an anti-corruption protest on 8 September. Young demonstrators, ordinary citizens, and some political parties defied a curfew on Tuesday, leading to widespread violence. Government buildings, supermarkets, hotels, and homes of political leaders and businesspeople were left in ruins. In response, the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) cancelled the second friendly. 

The Bangladesh team was due to return home the same day but became stranded after Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) was shut down due to safety concerns. Only on Wednesday afternoon, TIA authority decided to resume the flights. Earlier closure eas extended, citing a nationwide curfew and thick smoke on the runway caused by nearby fires.

The Bangladeshi players remain confined to their hotel in Kathmandu. The Bangladesh Football Federation shared a photo on social media showing the players engaged in a gym session at the hotel.

According to Bangladeshi media, the government is working to safely evacuate the team.

Players are safe

Meanwhile, foreign women volleyball players in Pokhara faced a terrifying ordeal when their hotel was set on fire by vandals on Tuesday. They were later moved safely to another hotel, according to EWVL organisers.

Snevy Chapagain, CEO of Infinity Dreams Private Limited, confirmed that all players are safe and have been relocated. EWVL fixtures scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday have been postponed. The second edition of the women’s franchise volleyball league started on last Friday (5 September).

NSJF Sports Award Postponed

The Nepal Sports Journalists Forum (NSJF) has postponed the 22nd NSJF Pulsar Sports Award until further notice. The event was scheduled for 15 September in Pokhara. Citing the ongoing unrest, NSJF announced the decision on Wednesday. 

“The new date will be decided once the situation returns to normal,” read the official press release.