Footballer Bishal Rai leaves Nepal for Australia / Midfielder Bishal Rai's biography "Journey from Jhapa Academy to Nepal National Football Team"

One of the midfield maestro in Nepalese football Bishal Rai departed for Australia to secure his better future on Friday morning. Bishal was bid farewell by his former team Machhindra Club's Captain Sujal Shrestha, manager Anil Shrestha and his club teammates at Tribhuvan International Airport.

" I played almost 7 leagues in between last 12-13 years at my peak form. Here I saw lots of uncertainties in the leagues due to ANFA politics & other reasons. It was a question for myself what to do in the future next?? My friends & relatives suggested me to go abroad (Australia)."- Bishal Rai, Midfielder Nepal

Bishal's football journey: from Jhapa to Kathmandu

Bishal who dreamed off  playing football from ANFA Jhapa youth Academy, proved himself as one of the best midfielder Nepali football ever witnessed. In just 13-14 years Bishal emerged as the important member in the middle half of every teams either the club or the national team where he played.

Entry to Machhindra:

It was back in 2008 when Bishal joined the A-Division Club Machhindra F.C. Bishal played for Machindra for four years straight with the exception of a loan move to Saraswoti Youth Club two years after arriving. Later in 2014 he joined Manang Marshyangdi Club ahead of the 2013–14 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League season.

Man with most nos. of A Division League Title:

Vishal, who started professional football with Machindra Football Club, continued with Manang Marsyangdi Club. Bishal has won the 'A' division league title for the last four consecutive years. Having won the top division league twice in a row from Manang, he was the main player when Machindra won the title in the last two seasons. Here're his title wins in A Division League:

• 2013/14 Manang Marsyangdi Club
• 2018/19 Manang Marsyangdi Club
• 2019/20 Machhindra FC
• 2020/21 Machhindra FC

From ANFA to Nepal National Football Team:

A fourth batch player of ANFA Academy, Bishal was continuously in the national team since 2014. Rai played for Nepal at the u-14, u-16 and u-19 youth levels. After being routinely called up for the senior squad since 2014 Rai finally made his senior national team debut on 31 August 2015 in a friendly against India. Bishal Rai scored his first goal for Nepal in a 4–1 win against Maldives in the Bangabandhu gold cup on 19 January 2016. Bishal has almost 28 international caps for Nepal with 3 goals (Maldives, Laos & Philippines).

Man of important & historic moments:

Bishal had been an important member in various historic moments in Nepali football. Bishal was a part of Nepal National team when they won AFC Solidarity Cup back in 2016. Bishal is also a Nepalese gold medalist on SAG football. Here're the achievem
ents of Bishal with National team:

• Winner: 2016 AFC Solidarity Cup
• Gold Medal: 2019 SAG Football
• Gold Medal: 12th South Asian Games 2016
• Top Scorer/Winner: 3 Nations Cup 2021
• Finalists: SAFF Championship 2021

Brain Drain: An issue to be addressed soon:

Lately, the number of Nepalese players migrating to Australia in search of secure future is increasing every day. Just two weeks ago, regular members of the Nepali national team Dinesh Rajbanshi, Tej Tamang, Nitin Thapa and Gautam Shrestha departed for Australia.

Not seeing the future in Nepali football, more than three dozen national level players have chosen the destination of Australia, Dubai and other countries this year alone.