Nepali athletes were in the limelight during the 17th Asian Games, held recently in Incheon, South Korea, not for their performances but for setting bad precedent.

They made headlines in most of the national and international newspapers for not returning to Nepal after participating in their respective sport events. As per the reports and data, around four Nepali players are still hiding in South Korea, while the Korean government is leaving no stone unturned to find them out.

Sepak takraw player Aman Pode, wushu players Som Bir Tamang and Nirajan Ale and athlete Tilak Ram Tharu of the Nepali delegation disappeared in Korea before the two-week sporting extravaganza concluded on Saturday.



This combo picture shows athlete Tilak Ram Tharu (R), who went missing in South Korea, and his teammate Yam Sajan Sunar. (Republica)

The Nepali athletes have been following the footsteps of their predecessors who were lured to disappear in the booming-economy cities in the past. This is not a new story for Nepali athletes because many players had disappeared in the past during different international mega events. Why Nepali players disappear in foreign countries has been explained by a player who was previously involved in such activity.

A player who disappeared in Japan in 2007 told Republica on condition of anonymity that the lack of facilities and the treatment players get here from the sport´s governing body are the reasons that prompt them to hide in foreign countries. The athlete, who worked in Japan for some months and returned, said, “There is no value even for an Olympian in Nepal and the rest of the players are always in shadow even after achieving success in national and international events. The government also does not treat the players fairly.” 

“At a certain point, one has to think about one´s career. Players do not have enough facilities and proper environment here to sustain their livelihood by playing. They have to struggle for survival even after playing for years. This is the main reason players hide in foreign countries,” added the player.

According to the player, Nepali players hide in other countries in search of better opportunities and to make one´s life easier. The player also revealed how Nepali players plans to hide in a country and the steps after hiding there. “Players contact people they know who could help arrange everything in the country well ahead of their planned disappearance. If everything gets fixed then players disappear. When the players hide, their accomplices manage everything, from work to living place for them,” she shared with Republica.

However, there are other Nepali players who are determined not to cheat with the country for the sake of their personal benefit. Wushu player Jharan Gurung, who also participated in the 17th Asian Games, said that she never thought about hiding in South Korea. “I had never imagined that. The government has spent lot of time and money on players? There is no point to cheat our country,” said Jharana.

Similarly, judo player Saroj Maharjan also said that he did not contact anybody in South Korea and focused only on his game. “I had gone to France before going to South Korea. If I had to hide in a foreign country, then France might have been a better choice but such thoughts never crossed my mind,” he said.

Meanwhile, national record holder athlete Yam Sajan Sunar claimed that some of his friends had offered him to stay in South Korea but he denied the offer.“Some of my friends had suggested me to stay in South Korea but I denied because money is not everything. Money can be earned in Nepal as well. But the prestige that I have been getting from sports is of more value to me,” said Yam Sajan.

According to AFP, athletes from Southeast and South Asian countries often flee sports events in South Korea and other major Asian economies to become illegal migrant workers. Sixteen athletes from those countries vanished during the 2002 Busan Asian Games. 

Fortunately, some players who disappear and struggle to earn money get a second chance to play after returning their homeland. “Initially, it was difficult to continue my sporting career because many people had pointed their fingers at me but I slowly managed to make a comeback,” the player who had disappeared in Japan shared her experience.

Despite committing the error herself, she now believes that those making such mistakes should be punished. “There should be provision for punishment for those players who disappear in foreign land but they should also be provided opportunity to continue their career after serving their sentence,” said the player, adding, “The government should bring better policies so that players can sustain even after their retirement.”

Published on: 9 October 2014 | Republica