Speaking to myrepublica.com on Thursday, former ANFA president Rana said, “This ANFA statute has defined District Football Associations (DFA) as autonomous bodies, rather than a sister organization of ANFA but the DFA elections were held as per ANFA statute.”
She further added, “Not a single DFA has prepared and passed its own statute, but they have been holding elections and electing representatives for the forthcoming ANFA election, how can this be legal ? And ANFA hasn´t submitted its new statute to the sports governing body National Sports Council. This makes the statute void. This statute favors football clubs more and minimizes DFA´s role in the football development.”
Geeta Rana vowed to fight for equal rights of DFAs and clubs, “I had talked with Youth and Sports minister recently and he has promised to look into the matter.”
However, ANFA spokesperson Lalit Krishna Shrestha dismissed Rana´s claim saying, “ANFA statute is in accordance to the World football governing body FIFA, which is rewriting a new statute of all its 207 members nations. Nepal is also one of them. FIFA guided in drafting statute.”
He added, “We have already submitted the statute to National Sports Council, there is no question of legal hassles as all concerning parties, clubs, players and football associations are actively participating in the election.”
Shrestha alleged that Rana was trying to create chaos in the Nepali football sector. “Geeta Rana disturbed Nepali football eight years ago and she is trying to do the same this time also. She is doing this after she couldn´t find supporters to win the election.”
As per the new statute, 72 members can participate in ANFA election. The eligible voters in ANFA election are 40 DFA members, one member each from 20 A Division clubs, five members from B Division clubs, three from C Division clubs and one representative each from national players, women football players, coaches and referees.
The election will be held on September 7 in the capital.
Financial support for Mani Shah, YB Ghale
Sports For All Nepal gave Rs 50,000 each to former football stars duo Mani Bikram Shah and YB Ghale for their treatment, amidst a function held in Galaxy Public School on Friday.
Sports For All President Geeta Rana handed over the check to Shah. This money was collected from Dr Harka Gurung Memorial seven-a-side football tournament organized last month by Sports For All.
Striker Mani is suffering from liver cirrhosis since three and half year and undergoing treatment at Norvic Hospital.
ANFA and Sports Council too had supported Mani in the past. ANFA had provided Rs 200,000 while National Sports Council supported Rs 25,000 for his treatment. Another beneficiary at the function, YB Ghale, was not presented at the function.
YB Ghale is currently at New Delhi, undergoing treating for paralysis at Apollo Hospital. Ghale suffered brain hemorrhage last year followed paralysis.
Ghale is the first Nepali player to score goal in international match. He scored goal against Kuwait in 1982 Asiad in Delhi.
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