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🇳🇵 Nepal /Sports

‘There is still fire in me’: Abhishek Bastola battles administrative neglect to keep Nepal’s tennis dream alive

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Abhishek Bastola, a Nepali tennis player, battled illness and administrative neglect while competing in the Davis Cup.
  • Despite his significant contributions, including securing Nepal's promotion to Group IV, Bastola was excluded from the national squad last year.
  • Bastola has represented Nepal internationally for years without any financial support from the state or the Nepal Tennis Association, relying on his own resources.

Abhishek Bastola displayed remarkable grit competing in the Davis Cup on October 25, 2023, battling a fever and runny nose while playing against Qatar's top player. He won the match in straight sets, but the physical toll led him to collapse after a subsequent doubles match. He recalls having to wear the same t-shirt for the next day's match as it was one of only two he had for the tournament.

This was Nepal's debut in the Davis Cup, organized by World Tennis. Bastola continued his strong performance, winning singles matches against Yemen's and the Maldives' top players. Nepal competed in Group V in 2023. Bastola's three singles victories that year, matched by his performance in 2024 against players from Guam, Brunei, and Bahrain, were instrumental in Nepal's promotion to Group IV.

I vomited all over my t-shirt. I had to wear that same shirt for my match the next day.

— Abhishek BastolaDescribing the physical toll and lack of resources during his Davis Cup matches.

Despite his crucial role, Bastola was surprisingly excluded from the national squad the following year. In his absence, Nepal lost all its matches and was relegated back to Group V. "I don’t know the exact reason for my exclusion last year," Bastola stated, adding, "But one thing was certain: the Nepal Tennis Association didn’t want me on that team."

I don’t know the exact reason for my exclusion last year. But one thing was certain: the Nepal Tennis Association didn’t want me on that team.

— Abhishek BastolaExpressing his bewilderment and suspicion regarding his exclusion from the national tennis squad.

This exclusion is a familiar disappointment for Bastola, who has long faced a lack of institutional support and professional opportunities. He has represented Nepal in over 20 countries, often without receiving any financial aid from the state or the Nepal Tennis Association (NTA). "I have been participating in global events without a single penny, either from the state or the NTA," Bastola told The Kathmandu Post. "Neither my travel, accommodation nor gear have been supported... In fact, the only official recognition I received at home after my historic Davis Cup victories was a Thakali dinner."

Bastola is currently training in Tianjin, China, for an event on the Men's World Tennis Tour, making him the only Nepali player on the tour.

I have been participating in global events without a single penny, either from the state or the NTA. Neither my travel, accommodation nor gear have been supported… In fact, the only official recognition I received at home after my historic Davis Cup victories was a Thakali dinner.

— Abhishek BastolaDetailing the lack of financial and official support he has received as a national tennis player.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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