When the 29-year-old striker first ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee five years ago, she had an operation then rehabilitated at the Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital in Doha, Qatar.
Having injured her ACL graft from that surgery – as well as her medial collateral ligament – while playing for the Phoenix in Brisbane in January, her desire is to go under the knife then do her rehab there again, rather than in New Zealand – a preference that comes with an estimated US$80,000 [NZ$135,000] price tag.
“Since my injury is serious and the treatment I received at the Aspetar in Qatar was of a excellent standard last time,” Bhandari wrote, “I want to get treated at the same hospital again”.
Aspetar was said in a BBC report in 2019 to be “at the very cutting edge of sports injury treatment and rehabilitation”.
In going public with a plea for support in a Facebook post on Tuesday night, Bhandari wrote that in 2021, the leadership of the All Nepal Football Association “provided complete management and support for my treatment.
“At that time, I had no problems financially or mentally, so I was able to return to the field on time.“
“But this time, the ANFA leadership promised me support at the start but did not commit to their promise.
She wrote that they had ultimately offered “cash assistance” of 500,000 Nepalese rupees, or NZ$6000.
Though it did not address all of her claims directly, it said the ANFA had “made all efforts” to support her desire to receive treatment in Qatar.
The Phoenix said in a statement that the A-League Women insurance policy would cover the cost of the Bhandari having surgery in New Zealand, but there was a large shortfall with regard to the estimated cost of having an operation and doing up to eight months of rehab where she wants to in Qatar, rather than in Wellington.
“The entire insurance payout the club receives will go towards Samba’s operation.
“Her fan base, in particular the Nepalese community, have been incredibly generous so far to help fulfil her wish of receiving treatment at the world-renowned Aspetar facility, where she had her ACL surgery in 2021.
“The Phoenix’s medical team have worked tirelessly to ensure Samba is in optimal condition for her operation, and the club hope she can secure a date for her surgery in the near future so we can all see Samba back in yellow and black as soon as possible.”
It is understood the league insurance covers up to AU$20,000 [NZ$24,000] of surgical costs.
At the Phoenix, New Zealand players – and foreign players who suffer injuries in New Zealand – have medical costs covered by ACC.
Foreign players who are injured in Australia – as Bhandari was – need the insurance payouts.
If she had had surgery when she originally hoped to, three weeks after suffering her injury, a return to action in the back of next season would have been on the cards.
Her potential contribution next season will grow smaller and smaller the longer it takes for her to ultimately have surgery.
Bhandari is a popular figure in in Nepal and amongst the Nepalese diaspora, as was seen during her six matches for the Phoenix, which attracted strong turnouts from Nepalese fans, eager to see their national team captain in action.
She has scored 68 goals in her 61 international appearances and before joining the Phoenix previously played abroad in India, Israel and France.
At the Phoenix, she has scored three goals and provided one assist in six appearance.
In her Facebook post on Tuesday, she said her earnings in her career to date were “not enough” to cover the costs of surgery and rehab at Aspetar.
“That is why I am asking for help from you all today.
“I hope that the necessary support for my treatment will be collected soon.
“And if I, the captain of the national team, who has reached Europe and played, have to face this situation, think about what will happen to others? I have been constantly raising my voice about this, but fate has once again brought me to this situation.”
“This injury has exhausted me physically and mentally, but I believe I will return.“
Bhandari gave fans two ways to provide financial support – a QR code and a bank account number for those in Nepal and a Givealittle for those who are not.
As of 4pm Tuesday, she had raised almost $44,000 from more than 1000 donors via Givealittle.
Reports out of Nepal suggested payments were no longer able to sent to her bank account as it had received the maximum amount allowed.
