History is the story of the winners. Newspapers are the first draft of the history. How much you agree with these two sayings? I agree with both of them – to some extent. Newspapers with the news of all the events and incidents become the first draft of the history, and the newspapers reports most-probably say nothing about the losers. It became apparent yesterday when I was on my duty to collect materials to write a news item on three Taekwondo players, who are training to represent Nepal in the World Championship in Spain in April.
Those who qualified for the event are Ganesh Thapa, Kumar Manandhar and Manita Shahi. When I first went to the training, there was a few more training with them. When I went there for second time with a photojournalist, there were three of them and another girl – Aayasha Shakya.
All the sports journalists at the qualifying tournament a few days earlier were impressed by the facial expression of Aayasha. She entered the final winning two to fight for the only one qualification spot against Manita – a talented girl who had a history of beating one of the best taekwondo players of the country. Manita had played one and as the final ended the score was tied. On judges’ decision, Manita emerged winner.
Aayasha was all smiling – in or out the arena, even smiling during her fights. That smile of the girl was amazing for us and while she was sad that she lost the final, she didn’t take it that ‘seriously’ as Manita took the win. Manita couldn’t stop her tears.
And when my photojournalist friend lined up other three players for photo along with their coach, Aayasha was left alone. I felt sorry for her and chatted with her. She told me she was from Sankhamul and is studying at standard 11 at the VS Niketan College – near to my office. She also told me that she started playing the sports when she was in standard three.
I appreciated her for her game and she just smiled. I believe she is a good player and will someday represent Nepal in international arena. If that happens or not, her magical smiles will always keep her delighted and happy – different than many other.
And, for sure, I won’t write anything about her until she wins something or do something. For now she is not recorded in the ‘first draft of the history’.
