The National Sports Council (Racap) has repeatedly instructed the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) not to hold elections without approval. However, ANFA appears determined to proceed with the elections regardless.
News Summary
Prepared through editorial review.
- ANFA is preparing to conduct elections on March 26 (13 Chaitra) in defiance of the National Sports Council’s directives.
- Negligence by ANFA leadership has caused the suspension of both the men’s and women’s National League.
- Dashrath Rangasala, Nepal’s premier football stadium, has been declared ineligible by the AFC for two years, with foreign coaches labeling ANFA’s leadership as ineffective.
On March 18 (5 Chaitra), Kathmandu. While the match between Tribhuvan Army Club and Satdobato Youth Club was underway at the ANFA Complex field on Thursday afternoon, the management from these same clubs staged a protest outside the gate against ANFA.
ANFA officials showed little concern for either the ongoing match or the club management’s grievances.
ANFA’s primary focus seems to be on holding ‘early elections’ to maintain their leadership rather than the development of the sport. Despite repeated directives from the National Sports Council (Racap) to refrain from holding elections without approval, ANFA is ignoring these instructions and preparing for the polls.
Following election commission and court-imposed restrictions, the elections scheduled for January 12 (28 Magh) were postponed. Now, the elections are planned for March 26 (13 Chaitra). This means that under Pankaj Bikram Nembang’s leadership, ANFA’s attention has shifted more toward the election process than the football field.
The suspension of the National League is largely attributed to the negligence of ANFA’s leadership. Despite 98 matches being completed in the men’s league, the league was suspended, and the leadership bears responsibility.
According to Article 20 of the Immigration Regulations, 1994 (2051), foreign nationals holding visas are not permitted to work beyond the scope of their visa purpose. Nevertheless, ANFA has been fielding foreign players without proper labor permits, which has contributed to the league’s suspension. Similarly, the newly started Women’s National League was also suspended just this past Wednesday.
While these key leagues continue being postponed, ANFA is preparing to renew its leadership. The leadership seems unwilling to respect Racap’s directives and is determined to hold forced elections, which risks potential intervention from FIFA, possibly resulting in Nepal’s suspension from international football.
The country’s largest domestic competition, the ‘A’ Division League, has been suspended for nearly thousands of days. ANFA has not managed to organize this league, instead blaming players and clubs.
Disagreements persist between clubs and the players’ union over the same issue.
In last November (Kartik), ANFA reached an agreement with clubs to operate the ‘A’ Division League under a ‘home and away’ format starting next year. However, when the Nepal Football Players Association protested, ANFA rescheduled the league to March 13 (30 Chaitra). Clubs remain dissatisfied due to unilateral decisions made by ANFA.
The absence of the crucial ‘A’ Division League has forced many players to seek opportunities abroad, but ANFA has shown no concern over this development.
ANFA appears unwilling to listen to demands. Clubs participating in the national league remain uncertain whether matches will proceed.
ANFA itself seems confused regarding league management and player engagement. The leadership has resorted to taking swift decisions to suppress protesting players. According to prior agreements, many players have already gone abroad in anticipation of the ‘A’ Division League.
Dashrath Rangasala, Nepal’s only international standard stadium, has been declared ineligible by the AFC for the past two years. The lack of a qualified home stadium has forced Nepalese players to compete without home-ground advantage. Meanwhile, ANFA’s leadership appears more eager to travel abroad.
Both domestic and foreign stakeholders have expressed dissatisfaction with ANFA’s leadership style. Foreign coaches have also confirmed that ANFA’s leadership is ineffective.
The national men’s football team head coach, Matt Ross, resigned after only eight months in charge. He stepped down with four months remaining on his contract, citing dissatisfaction with ANFA. Likewise, the women’s team head coach, Patrick de Wilde, could not last longer than a month.
