Youths and Sports Ministry directs NSC to take action against ANFA

Published On: March 14, 2024 09:40 AM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, March 14: The Ministry of Youth and Sports has sent a letter to the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), criticizing them for dispatching unnecessary personnel on a visit to Malaysia.

Before the match against Bahrain, Nepal is scheduled to play a friendly match against Malaysia on Friday. ANFA has faced criticism from various quarters for sending such a large contingent to Malaysia. In response, the Ministry of Sports issued a statement on Wednesday and directed the National Sports Council (NSC) to take action against ANFA. The ministry has instructed the NSC to take action against ANFA under the National Sports Act for sending unnecessary personnel on the tour.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Sports has requested the Ministry of Home Affairs to grant permission for foreign travel only after the approval of the plan for international competitions, seminars, training, workshops, or conferences.

For the friendly match against Malaysia, ANFA unnecessarily appointed two goalkeeper coaches, Binod Dangol and Manish Timsina. The head coach of the Nepali team is Vincenzo Alberto Enes.

In addition to the necessary coaching staff, the team requires an assistant coach, team manager, physiotherapist, and kit manager. Prabesh Katuwal (Coach), Uttam Raj Bhandari (Team Manager), Lokendra Kunwar (Physio), and Gyan Bahadur Rai (Kit Manager) have been assigned these roles. However, ANFA sent unnecessary personnel such as Deepak Khatiwada (Team Leader, ANFA Vice President), Mahendra Chhetri (ANFA Member), Indraman Tuladhar (CEO), District Members Bharat Ghimire, Buddhi Bahadur Gurung, Sunil Lopchan, Jayakrishna Shrestha, Praveen Shrestha, and Subin Kumar Shrestha abroad.

The ministry has instructed them to take action if the jumbo team is sent. In Section 28 (J) of the National Sports Development Act, 2077 BS, there is a legal provision to participate in international sports competitions with the approval of the National Sports Council.

National Sports Council Ch No 627 dated March 13, 2024 as per the letter of 2080/11/30, as it has been informed that the approval required under the National Sports Development Act, 2077 BS has not been obtained, NSC has been instructed to take action and inform about it.