SAFF Championship Exclusive: Nepal finds a new home in Bangalore

Madan Joshi works in Swiggy. Anjan Tiwary studies Civil Engineering at BMS College of Engineering. Both had two similarities in them although they do not even know themselves. Both of them are from Nepal and came to Sree Kanteerava Stadium to support their birthland in the SAFF Championship 2023. However, both of them stay in Bangalore now for a few years. And, they are not alone.

There are more than a hundred of thousand Naplese people in the city now. As per an article by Bangalore Mirror, there were around two lakh Nepalis in the city back in 2020.

"We all came here to support Nepal," Madan Joshi said while shouting Vimal Kumar Gupta's name in the second half. And, he was with more than 7 Nepal fans alone with him. They had a Nepalese flag with them and their shouts from the Western stand could separate them from others.

But, they were not alone. Suddenly, you could spot three or four Nepalese flags at the stands of the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. And, as soon as Anjan Bista netted the ball for Nepal, everyone could feel there were more than 100 Nepal fans at the stadium.

"Although we stay away from home, this tournament makes us feel close to home. Coming here and supporting our National football team is our duty. And, we do it out of love," Madan Joshi told Sportz Point.

"Last time Nepal played the final of the SAFF Championship. This time we have hopes as well. There are many young players coming out of the team which we believe will make our team stronger," Madan added, whose favourite Nepalese players are Vimal Kumar Gupta and Kiran Limba. The whole group has the plan to come to every game Nepal plays in the SAFF Championship 2023.

On the other hand, after the hard loss against Kuwait, a few guys were still waiting in front of the team bus to meet and greet the Nepalese footballers. Anjan Tiwary along with his four BMS College of Engineering mates came to watch and support the Nepal team, who are all from Nepal.

"If you talk about Bangalore, I am sure there are more Nepalese people here in Bangalore other than Indians. More than hundreds there in my college," Anjan told Sportz Point. "This was our best opportunity to come here and show some love for our National team. I guess there were more than a hundred Naplese fans at the stadium who stay here for different reasons."

The Nepalese coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese did not disappoint them also as he happily agreed to click photos with them even after the tough loss. A few Nepalese players also greeted them like they have found a new home here in Bangalore.

With now India facing Nepal in their next match, we might see a few more Nepalese flags at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium along with thousands of Indian flags for the clash.