Two former Nepal Internationals are now flying in Kathmandu....

Pradeep Maharjan and Chetan Ghimire were once rated as Nepal's deadly players and they were proving their worth in international football.

Sadly both of them were grounded with players' main enemy -  "ACL Rupture" when they were shining with the game.

Maharjan was with the senior side when he tweaked his knee badly in Bangkok, Thailand and then he was detached from the Phnom Penh bound team for AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers.

After four years, he has found a solace.

Of course he had medical treatment for his knee in Bangkok and Nepal but, after four years, he realized that he should have gone to Doha, Qatar quite early for the treatment of his troubled knee at the "right place" - Aspetar.

Aspetar is a world class sports medicine hospital located in Doha.

"I should have gone to Aspetar quite early. I can't believe what I saw at Aspetar", Maharjan said, "Everything was outstanding. The facilities which were provided to us aren't even imaginary things in Nepal".

"Sadly some of the physio tricks that we learn here in Nepal is wrong", Maharjan clarified, "I was shocked when one Physio at Aspeter found me wrong doing physio for my knee. When I followed him, I felt much relief at knee".

"Another thing the Surgeons who were involved in my knee operation were shocked to see the condition of ACL and were suprised to hear that I was still playing the game in Nepal", Maharjan shared.


"I am thankful to ANFA for helping us to get world class medical treatment at Aspetar", Maharjan said, "After a successful operation, I have started feeling that I can kick the ball same as before, when I was in top form".

"I haven't lost my hope", Maharjan, who is in late 20s, added, "I am determined to come back to the pitch strongly. It is like getting second life in my career".

Another player, Chetan Ghimire is in cloud nine to see his knee not giving trouble after successful operation at Aspetar.

"I can't believe this. I am feeling like I am flying. I think I can come back to the pitch after some months", Ghimire, a Policeman, said, "Without the help of ANFA, it wouldn't have been posible. I am totally surprised to see the facilities at Aspetar which are much important to the injured players".

But, Wait, can all injured players make it to Aspetar?

Nope..

Pradeep Maharjan said, "I think it costs around 30 to 35,000 USD for the treatment (including both of them)".  Qatar FA helped ANFA to cover the expenses of the players at Aspetar.

Aspetar is very expensive and the top athletes from the world come to the place for the treatment.

Some of the Nepalese players are still struggling from ACL rupture, including Nepal National team goalie, Bikash Malla.

Former ANFA academy player Nabin Maharjan, YHSC player Nirajan Malla and former Mega TSC player Sanjib Budhathoki have suffered from ACL injury.

It is ANFA's duty to see the betterment of the players. Time will tell how ANFA will help all these injured players.

GoalNepal.com