Rs 181m budget for ANFA

KATHMANDU, Dec 18: All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) congress has announced a budget of around Rs 181 million for the fiscal year 2068/69 through its 12th annual general assembly on Sunday. The budget is twice the amount allocated last year. The budget for fiscal year 2067/68 was around Rs 80 million.



"This time around we are hosting the final round of AFC Challenge Cup which is the greatest international football contest ever hosted by Nepal. Thus we have to increase the budget," ANFA President Ganesh Thapa said during the inauguration of the general assembly.[break]



The Challenge Cup to be organized by ANFA from March 8-18 in Kathmandu will be contested by eight teams including Nepal, Turkmenistan, the Maldives, Palestine, DPR Korea, India, Tajikistan and the Philippines.



Similarly, the general assembly approved Sindhuli and Sankhuwasabha as its 41st and 42nd district associations as per the decision of ANFA´s executive committee, states a press release issued by ANFA on Sunday evening.



The general assembly also approved President Thapa´s progress report of 2067/68 and plans and policies of 2068/69 unanimously. Treasurer Birat Jung Shahi presented the income and expenses report of the previous year and expected budget of the current fiscal. The income for 2067/68 was Rs 134.9 million and expenses Rs 96.5 million, according to which the net profit was around Rs 38.4 million.



All 31 programs proposed by Thapa were approved unanimously. For the upcoming year ANFA has included three A division knockout football tournaments, Martyrs Memorial League and National A division league. Similarly, the general assembly has also endorsed two tournaments for women footballers including league and national knockout tournament, referee training course, A and B division football tournaments, five youth tournaments, coaching courses and others.



Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Thapa said hosting the AFC Challenge Cup is a great opportunity. He also expressed his wish to expand football association to Karnali so that there will be football associations in all the 14 zones. Thapa said he would also announce a motivational package for the national teams after completion of the National League.



Earlier, chief guest Minister for Youth and Sports Kamala Rokka formally inaugurated the general assembly. Rokka and NSC Member Secretary Yubaraj Lama also addressed the general assembly.



Minister Rokka announced a cash prize of Rs 50,000 to Sagar Thapa, the national team skipper of recently held SAFF Championship. Thapa had scored from a brilliant free-kick against Bangladesh in Nepal´s 1-0 victory. Similarly, ANFA President Thapa also informed that Anil Shah, Mega Bank CEO, has announced a reward of Rs 100,000 to the skipper for his spectacular goal. According to Thapa, a person from Bhairahawa has also announced Rs 150,000 reward for the skipper. He, however, could not recall his name.



The general assembly was participated by ANFA executive committee members, three representatives each from 41 district associations and 18 A division clubs, representatives from B and C division clubs, representatives from players, coaches, women and referee associations. Taplejung was also included as an observer.

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