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Kathmandu Wednesday February 21, 2001 Falgun 10, 2057.
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National Footballers refuse to be associated with
ANFA
Post Report
KATHMANDU, Feb 20 - Players of the national Nepali football team announced
that they will not be affiliated with either of the associations until the unification of
the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), in a press conference held here today.
The rift within ANFA has forced players to lobbying which has left them in a
state of confusion. ANFA, the body involved in the development of football in the country,
should be unified, says the press release distributed at the conference.
According to the release, the players have been summoned by both the ANFAs to
join the training camp for the selection of the team for the World Cup qualifiers due to
be held in April this year.However, the players cannot decide which association to join.
Bal Gopal Maharjan, a national football player says, "We do not know
which association to follow. The world football governing body, FIFA, has approved one
association whereas the National Sports Council (NSC) recognises another." He adds,
"We need NSC in the country and FIFA at an international level."
He said that although they will play football at a national level, they have
decided not to participate in international level football tournaments until the sports
ministry solves the controversy.
"Playing in the world cup selection football involves the prestige of
the entire nation," says another footballer. "How can we put the prestige of the
nation at stake by playing in the international arena when we are so confused?" he
asked.
In response to journalists, they said that they hold the government
responsible for the whole controversy as it has failed to take a firm decision on the
issue. However, they said that the sports minister has promised to talk with them and find
a solution to the present crisis.
ANFA was divided into two factions after Geeta Rana was appointed as the
interim president of the association by the NSC after Ganesh Thapa’s term as a
president came to end last September.
However, Thapa, claiming the NSC decision to be unjust, held the election in
the presence of the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) representative.
Due to the present controversy in ANFA, Nepal was denied the opportunity of
hosting the Asian Group 6 World Cup qualifying matches.
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