Utsav Shakya, Kathmandu
The Most Valuable Player of the last year’s of Martyr’s Memorial ‘B’ Division League Aashish Chaudhary has penned contract extension with Church Boys United Football Club (CBU). With this, Chaudhary will be staying with the club till 2024, confirmed CBU President Tanka Lal Rai.
“We are pleased to keep such a young talent with us. We are in talks to welcome some renowned faces for new season. Our aim is to win the title of Martyr’s Memorial ‘A’ Division League,” said president Rai.
The 20-years-old forward will mark his debut in Nepal’s top-tier with CBU. Chaudhary first featured for the club in the ‘C’ Division League back in 2021. Since then he has been integral part of the club’s success story.
“I started to play football when I was 10 years old. I used to play local-level tournaments around my village. I met Niraj Basnet in a local match and he introduced me to the CBU,” Chaudhary remembered how he joined the club.
Chaudhary and CBU won ‘C’ Division and ‘B’ Division League title in their first attempt together. Chaudhary was adjudged the Most Valuable Player when CBU won the ‘B’ Division League in 2022. He scored 4 and appeared in all 12 matches.
“Well, my only goal was to win the title for my team. I never had expected any individual awards. I was kind of surprised when I heard my name as the MVP. All thanks to my team who supported me throughout the journey.” Chaudhary explained his feelings when he got the MVP award.
The performance meant he would earn callup to the Nepal National Football Team. The head coach of the National side Abdullah Almutairi called Chaudhary to the preliminary squad ahead of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 Qualification. However, Chaudhary failed to make the final cut.
Pradip Humagain, who stepped in as a caretaker head coach after Almutairi resigned, included Chaudhary in his 23-men squad for the friendly match against Bangladesh on September. Chaudhary replaced the star forward Bimal Gharti Magar in the 82nd minute of the match to mark his debut for the National Team.
“I was on cloud 9 at that moment as my dreams were getting fulfilled. Every player dreams to play for the nation and I too dreamed the same,” Chaudhary added, “The debut was just the beginning and a lot more is yet to come. I will give everything I have to serve my nation in the coming days.”
Chaudhary is excited for his debut season. “I am excited to appear in Nepal’s top-tier league for the first time,” said Chaudhary. “We have won ‘C’ and ‘B’ Division in our maiden seasons. Also, we will try our best to clinch the title of ‘A’ Division in our maiden season itself and for that, I will give my level best,” he ended.
