He is a newly recruited second lieutenant in Nepal Army, but on the football field he is the general of the Nepal national team - steaming up the attack of the Gorkhali’s with speed and agility.His tireless runs down the flanks often arrive as the major sources of the goals scored by Nepal and when the time goes tough he landswith the crucial goals. He is none other than Bharat Khawas - the exciting 22-year-old Nepalese forward.
Bharat arrived as a tormentor for Bangladesh as he followed his goal against Bangladesh in the AFC U-22 last year with an instrumental performance in the ongoing Saff Championship.Nepal scored two goals against Bangladesh in the tournament opener in which Bharat paved the way for Anil Gurung for the first one before netting a goal himself. The talented forward said he is ready to score more and help Nepal win their maiden Saff Championship. “I feel this time we can do it.We are playing good football and the team has required spirit to win the title.We are ready to put the best,” said Bharat who joined the army in November last year and will have to complete 21-month training.
Bharat doesn’t have to prove his talent as his feat speaks for him. He joined the national camp just a week before the SaffChampionship as he was not allowed to leave his military base. Due to training commitments he was also excluded from the national squad that toured Bahrain and Kuwait for three weeks. Bharat proved that a player of his calibre can deliver the goods when required. In 2011 it was his goal that sent Nepal to the Saff Championship semis when Nepal held Pakistan in a 1-1 draw.
“I was admitted in the ANFA Football Academy when in was 11 years old and I debuted for Nepal in 2008 as a teenager, it was a match against Pakistan at Kathmandu and I scored a goal in my debut match.It was the inspiration and I grew confident, I am always ready to serve Nepal team and it is in my every heartbeat,” said the produced by the ANFA Academy.
Khawas loves Didier Drogba’s style of play and he often has been seen doing the hardwork in the opposition defence zone. At a tender age he has attained all the required qualities to be a formidable forward and he is expected to deliver more. “Football in Nepal is gaining momentum, the national team players feel that they have to produce something special to win the Saff Championship and also create the history.We are just a couple of matches away and we are ready with the youth and experience,” said the forward.
Bharat Khawas already received an offer from Indian Premier League side Pune FC, but refused that for the Army training. “I am not allowed to play for any team apart from the army team. I am getting a good allowance there and when I complete my training it will increase I have to concentrate on my training,” said Bharat Khawas.
“Winning Saff Championship will be the platform to boost Nepal’s football ahead, we want that at any cost,” concluded the energetic forward.