Last July Nyi Thant was a professional Futsal goalkeeper with OnDoctor FC Futsal Club, having taken part in the 2017 AFC U-20 Championship in Thailand. A bright future was ahead for the energetic and ever-alert futsal keeper.
Life was unpredictable, as the events of the past two weeks in politics have also shown. The global pandemic put an end to his regular training mid last year, forcing him to put on the pink Food Panda shirt and become a food delivery rider.
“We only have training sessions and matches, and if we can’t attend them then we have nothing to do. We still need to support our families,” said youngster Nyi Thant. The Futsal star receives a small salary from the club, but the income has been reduced without revenue from competitions and sponsorship.
Working as a rider earns him around K20,000 a day, which is enough to cover home expenses.
Playing futsal is his hobby. At the age of 18, he starred in the AYA Open Cup in 2015 and then joined OnDoctor FC in February 2020. Since training was cancelled due to COVID-19 last July, Nyi Thant keeps up his skills and fitness at home. He works with Food Panda from 8am to 8pm most days of the week.
"Futsal is something I love, and I will keep paying it whatever happens. Each training session used to last around half a day, and now I don’t have that much time. As a food rider, I can earn some money but it’s a time-consuming job," Nyi Thant said.
Food delivery work is suitable for many of the Futsal players, who find it difficult to get office jobs in the city. They also find that the riding keeps them fit during the day.
Since February 1 when the military seized power, Nyi Thant has since taken a break from his bike courier work. The unstable internet connection has made it difficult to receive and respond to orders.
Aung Thura is a midfield player at Ayeyawady United Football Club. Since 2010 he also played at Southern Myanmar FC. Like other sportsmen, he has also taken a break from his professional sports career due to the global pandemic. He is lucky that his brother has brick and sand sales business, where he started work.
"My teammates who can’t afford to start a small business have to do masonry and other manual labour," said Aung Thura.
The Myanmar Football Federation announced that the next season of the National League will commence in April this year. However, Aung Thura has little hope due to the political situation.
"As I am a second line-up player, my salary is just K12,000 a month. But I really don’t want to give up my passion. I hope the season starts up again, though, without any problems," Aung Thura said.
Pyae Phyo Aung played as a goal keeper with Southern Myanmar FC for 11 years. Southern Myanmar FC suspended its season commitments last year, after he was offered a three-year contract to play at Hantharwady United FC in 2021. The training was supposed to resume in February 11, but was cancelled again due to the political situation.
"COVID-19 is still an issue, but we were hoping to be back on the field soon. The next football season is scheduled to start in April, but the future of the players look uncertain," Pyae Phyo Aung said.
