End Football Politics

I am appalled to learn that the world football governing body (FIFA) has changed the World Cup Qualifiers venue from Kathmandu to Kazakisthan. It may be recalled that Nepal was to host the qualifiers this March. This is a huge set back and embarrassment to Nepali football and thousands of fans across the country who were keenly anticipating the preliminaries. At a time when local fans are craving for quality matches, the opportunity squandered by All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) to play host to an important event like the World Cup qualifiers is unthinkable.

FIFA changed the venue at the insistence of their point man Ganesh Thapa. One should not forget that Thapa-led ANFA is recognised by FIFA and Asian Federation Confederation (AFC) as Nepal’s legitimate football body. Thapa, superstar of yesteryears, did achieve a moral victory but he has done Nepali football a great disservice. Had he taken a different course and allowed the qualifiers to take place in the capital, I bet every football fan in the country would have been in awe of him. It’s not a tussle between two ANFAs led by Thapa and Geeta Rana respectively. Rather it’s a confrontation between Thapa and National Sports Council (NSC), Sports Ministry and Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC).

Also contributing significantly to the fiasco was Sports Ministry, NSC and NOC’s failure to resolve the on-going ANFA feud. The government, therefore, must understand the gravity of the situation and act promptly to safeguard the interest of Nepali football. A commission need to be set up to probe into the matter and offenders be punished.

Sushil Thapa
Greensboro, North Carolina, USA