ANFA controversy tolls hard on trainees

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KATHMANDU, Nov 7 - As the ANFA controversy takes a new turn every single day, nobody seems to be giving much thought to the cause of the 40 boys who were undergoing training in the ANFA complex at Satdobato before the controversy started.

The boys who were selected for football scholarship some three years back, have not been training in the complex since the Dashain holidays. Kumar Thapa, General Secretary of Geeta Rana led ANFA, accuses Ganesh Thapa to have taken the boys forcefully away before they could rejoin the training.

Ganesh Thapa however refutes the allegation. 35 students out of the 40 trainees are presently staying in a hotel with Ganesh Thapa. After the ANFA debacle, the day for the boys starts with football 'practice' with a plastic ball in the hotel garden of about twenty by thirty feet. They have nothing to do except watch TV and roam around the whole day long.

When asked if they are happy with the routine, boys reply that they would be happy playing. Most of the boys are studying in class 8 and 9 in Galaxy Public School, the school under management of Geeta Rana. According to Ganesh Thapa, the boys will be sent to school from Thursday onwards. He expects the school management to have professional attitude and co-operate.

The boys are under fear of Nepal being suspended of FIFA and AFC membership. 14 year old Prakash Shrestha, a trainee, says " There is no use playing football if we will not be allowed to play in any other country except Nepal." The boys say that they started to train under the leadership of Ganesh Thapa and want to continue with him. Prashant Giri(14 yr), a trainee who comes from Jhapa says " Ganesh Sir has been taking care of us since the beginning and we have complete faith in him."

Ganesh Thapa, when asked about the future of the boys replies, "We are trying to start a new hostel and resume training very soon." He is hopeful about the goal project staying in Nepal. About the goal project, he says, "As we (ANFA under his leadership) are recognized by FIFA and AFC (referring to the letter sent by AFC on Oct 29), the goal project will continue." He, however says that if Nepal is suspended from FIFA and AFC, Nepal cannot participate in any championship outside its boundary and none of its players can play outside the country as a professional. He further adds that if the controversy continues further Nepal's suspension is a possibility.

The ANFA election held by Ganesh Thapa on Oct 18 has been recognized as legal by AFC according to the letter sent by the confederation. No one knows when the row is going to end but for the boys who idolise the likes of Roberto Carlos, David Beckham and Rivaldo nothing would be better than training without any controversy.

Nepal beat India's youth team again

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KATHMANDU, Nov 7 - Nepal camp team today defeated the Under-19 team of Sardar Patel Institute of Sports by 5 wickets in a cricket match played at Tribhuvan University ground to lead 2-0 in a series played for Nepali team's preparation for the upcoming ACC trophy in UAE.

The Indians scored 207 runs losing all the wickets in 49.5 overs after winning the toss. For the visitors Ajay Patadiala scored 115 runs which included 15 boundaries. Kalpesh Patadiala was another useful contributor with 31 runs including a six.

For the Nepali side Binod Das was the pick of the bowlers taking four wickets in 17 runs. Mehboob Aalam took three wickets for 15 runs in his 10 overs. Jay Prakash scalped two wickets while Kalam Ali took one.

With just little more than four runs per over to score, Nepal reached the target in 37.5 overs losing five wickets. For Nepal the hero was Dipendra Chowdhary who hit his second consecutive ton against the Indians. He scored 100 runs without getting out in 98 balls with seven fours and two sixes. When Nepal needed just four runs for the victory, Dipendra hit a six to reach his century and steered Nepal to victory.

Sanjeev Joshi scored 36 runs for Nepal while Paras Lunia scored 25. Speaking after the victory, Nepal's foreign coach Haroon Rashid said that he was satisfied with the win though there are still areas where they had to improve.