Nepalis around the world step in to cover footballer Aashish Rai’s medical bills

Injured defender Aashish Rai has received around Rs2 million from well-wishers worldwide, exposing the sharp contrast between public solidarity and official indifference.

It took footballer Aashish Rai over a year of silent suffering to finally speak out. His injury was mishandled from the outset; he was mistreated during rehabilitation; and the All Nepal Football Association, the country’s football governing body, had provided only erratic support.