The postponement of both the National League Football and ANFA Women’s League on the same day was compelled by a letter from the Immigration Department.
News Summary
Prepared following editorial review.
- The Immigration Department sent a letter to the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) prohibiting foreign players on tourist visas from participating in the National Football League.
- After receiving the letter from the Immigration Department, ANFA postponed both the National Men’s and Women’s League matches citing technical reasons.
- The National Sports Council has informed that ANFA’s general assembly and elections, initially scheduled for March 26, have also been postponed.
March 18, Kathmandu — While the National Independent Party (Rastra Swatantra Party) was gaining widespread attention for potentially forming the government with a near two-thirds majority, the football scene intensified on Thursday with several developments.
On the same day, football-related controversies flared with directives and letters being issued as well as the national age-group team being sent off.
The National Men’s League, which commenced on January 14, and the Martyrs Memorial Women’s League, starting from March 17, were both suspended starting Thursday.
This decision followed a letter from the Immigration Department instructing ANFA to bar foreign players on tourist visas from participating in these leagues.
In protest against the decision to hold the ANFA A-Division League, club representatives staged a relay hunger strike outside the ANFA complex for four consecutive days.
Meanwhile, the National Sports Council sent a letter to ANFA on Thursday announcing the postponement of ANFA’s General Assembly and elections, initially planned for March 26.
On the same day, ANFA organized a farewell event at a hotel for the Nepal U-20 men’s team, preparing to participate in the SAFF U-20 Championship in the Maldives.
ANFA President Pankaj Bikram Nembang and General Secretary Kiran Rai also visited the National Sports Council office in Tripureshwor to meet with the Secretary, Ramcharitra Mehtal.
The day was dominated by football discussions but yielded little positive outcome. The suspension of the leagues risks depriving players of competitive opportunities.
This situation, reflecting a ‘‘battle of bulls where the calf suffers,’’ highlights how leadership inefficiencies ultimately hurt the players.
Nonetheless, ANFA is moving forward with preparations to hold elections by March 26.
At the ANFA complex in Satdobato, departmental teams Tribhuvan Army FC and Satdobato Youth Club were competing in match number 99 of the National League when ANFA announced that matches number 97 and 100 through 136 were suspended due to technical reasons and informed the 17 participating clubs via letter.
On Thursday morning, Kaski’s Lalgirans Association Club defeated Chitlang FC 1-0 to rise to the top of the standings, remaining unbeaten with 24 points from 13 matches.
Army FC followed in second place by gaining 26 points after a 1-0 victory.
Also contending for a top-three finish were Machhindra FC and APF, both with 25 points aiming to claim the summit, as a win would have taken them to 28 points.
However, the match between APF and Machhindra could not take place. Until the league resumes, Lalgirans and Army will remain first and second respectively.
***
ANFA had inaugurated the Martyrs Memorial Women’s Football League on Wednesday. The league featured nine women’s teams with two matches played on the first day and another two on the second.
On the second day of the league held in Chyasal, the two matches following match number five were also postponed until further notice due to technical reasons, with ANFA sending letters to nine participating clubs.
On Thursday, Nepal Police Club defeated Church Boys United 5-0. Earlier, Bagmati Youth Club had defeated RS Pokhara 5-4. On the opening day, Sankata beat NRT 4-0, and on the second day, Tribhuvan Army Club prevailed over Jhapa FC by 5-0.
The departmental team APF still has matches left to play.
League Suspended Following Immigration Letter
The core reason for ANFA’s forced suspension of two leagues on the same day was the Immigration Department’s letter.
After receiving complaints that foreign players on tourist visas were participating in the National League, the Immigration Department informed the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the National Sports Council early Thursday morning and issued a letter to ANFA. This escalated tensions significantly.
Immigration Department spokesperson Tikaram Dhakal stated, ‘Players cannot participate while on tourist visas. The organizing bodies must take responsibility; players not complying with regulations will face penalties. We have requested labor permits in an official letter.’
According to Immigration Regulations 1995, visa holders cannot work outside their visa’s stated purpose.
Following a complaint that ANFA allowed foreign players on tourist visas in both men’s and women’s leagues, the department issued a formal letter.
The letter specifies that foreign players can only participate after obtaining labor permits in accordance with the rules, and monitoring started immediately. Any players lacking permits involved in breaches will be subject to immediate action.
Previously, complaints had reached both the National Sports Council and Immigration Department regarding foreign players participating in the National League without labor permits.
Subsequently, on March 14, the National Sports Council sent a letter to ANFA requesting a list of foreign players participating without labor permits. Despite this, ANFA continued the league.
Following the Immigration Department’s letter, ANFA had no choice but to suspend the leagues.
ANFA CEO Indraman Tuladhar also confirmed that the leagues were suspended after receiving the Immigration Department’s letter.
Tensions increased further after the National Sports Council issued a strict letter on March 19 instructing ANFA not to hold the general assembly or elections as scheduled. This led the ANFA leadership to meet with the Council’s Secretary.
ANFA officials mentioned that discussions about the elections took place with FIFA and that the elections are being conducted in accordance with ANFA’s constitution.
On Thursday evening, ANFA General Secretary Kiran Rai sent letters to members including districts, clubs, and associations, urging participation in the March 26 elections and sharing meeting schedules.
Asked whether ANFA would postpone the elections, the spokesperson responded succinctly, ‘The elections are proceeding according to ANFA’s constitution.’
