ANFA Moves to Restore FIFA Status Amid Leadership Turmoil, Forms Coordination Committee

Kathmandu – The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) concluded a significant meeting on Friday at its Satdobato headquarters, presided over by Senior Vice President Bir Bahadur Khadka. The gathering focused on pivotal decisions aimed at lifting the FIFA suspension and navigating a period of internal strife within the organization.

A key outcome of the meeting was the decision to establish a coordination committee tasked with engaging both the Nepali government and FIFA to resolve the suspension. Senior Vice President Khadka, who chaired the meeting, confirmed that three primary agendas were ratified in accordance with ANFA's constitution.

Key Decisions and Coordination Efforts

"We had requested a meeting 21 days ago as per the constitution. When that didn't materialize, the meeting proceeded under my chairmanship," Khadka stated. He further elaborated that a five-member committee, led by Vice President Deepak Khatiwada, has been formed to bridge the communication gap between the government and FIFA, which has been identified as a significant obstacle to lifting the suspension.

"Today's meeting passed three agendas. The main decision is the formation of a five-member committee under the coordination of Vice President Deepak Khatiwada, which will play a coordinating role in the absence of coordination between the government and FIFA. This committee will coordinate with the government and then send all necessary letters to FIFA," Khadka explained, expressing optimism for a swift resolution to the FIFA ban.

Attendance and Absences

Out of 21 committee members, 12 were present at the meeting. One member, Dipendra Dhimal, had recently passed away, and a condolence motion was passed in his memory. Notably, several key officials, including ANFA President Pankaj Bikram Nemwang, General Secretary Kiran Rai, Treasurer Rabindra Joshi, and accountant Sanjeev Pandey, were absent. These officials had previously been released on bail of NPR 500,000 each on November 11 after being implicated in match-fixing, corruption, and other irregularities by the Nepal Police's Central Investigation Bureau (CIB).

Senior Vice President Khadka clarified that no officials were immediately suspended or disciplined. However, a decision was made to formally request written information from President Nemwang, General Secretary Rai, Treasurer Joshi, and accountant Pandey regarding the reasons for their court appearances.

The meeting saw the participation of Senior Vice President Khadka, along with Vice Presidents Deepak Khatiwada, Biratjang Shahi, and Dirgha Kumar KC. Committee members present included Rupesh Adhikari, Rabin Chand, Ramesh Byanjankar, Bharat Budh Thapa, Mahendra Chhetri, Tika Lama, Manish Joshi, and Pema Dolma Lama (who attended virtually). Absent members included Vice President Dawa Lama, and members Purushottam Thapa, Bhojraj Shahi, Bikash Narayan Shrestha, Maniraj Bista, and Anil Malla.

Official ANFA Statement

ANFA issued a press release detailing the decisions made:

• To address the current situation, including investigations into financial irregularities and match-fixing allegations against ANFA officials and staff, and to regularize ANFA operations, ensuring institutional integrity. Immediate letters will be sent to President Pankaj Bikram Nemwang, General Secretary Kiran Rai, Treasurer Rabindra Joshi, and Accountant Sanjeev Pandey for information regarding the legal proceedings.
• Assistant General Secretary Damodar Bhattarai has been appointed as acting General Secretary, in accordance with ANFA statutes 38(6) and 66(4), to oversee daily operations, official correspondence, and administrative tasks until further notice, given the legal issues faced by the current General Secretary.
• A committee, led by Vice President Deepak Khatiwada, with Vice Presidents Biratjang Shahi and Dirgha Bahadur KC, and members Manish Joshi and Tikaram Lama, and acting General Secretary Damodar Bhattarai (Badri) as member secretary, is tasked with coordinating with FIFA, AFC, and the Ministry of Education and Sports regarding past communications and current status.
• The secretariat has been instructed to initiate efforts for a physical meeting between FIFA, AFC, and the Nepali government to discuss ANFA elections and related matters.
• A condolence resolution was passed in memory of the late Central Committee member Dipendra Dhimal.
• Congratulations and a request for incentive awards and honors from the Nepali government and the National Sports Council were extended to the youth players for their excellent performance in the FIFA U-15 World Football Festival.

Bir Bahadur Khadka
Senior Vice President