Probe finds irregularities by Thapa’s ANFA

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, September 10: A probe committee formed to investigate into the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) led by Ganesh Thapa found that the Thapa’s association had been indulged into financial irregularities in the form of massive release of cash advances during its five-year term from 2052 to 2057B.S (1995-2000).

The ANFA Probe Committee, after its 35-day investigation, also alleged that most of these advances have not yet been reimbursed.

"There have been cases of release of big cash advances by the Thapa led ANFA and most of the amount have not been reimbursed," the ANFA Probe Committee Coordinator Advocate Ram Krishna Nirala told a press conference organised at the National Sports Council today.

Nirala, who headed a three-member probe committee, handed a 42-page report to NSC Member Secretary Binod Shankar Palikhe, who later, gave it to NSC’s Sports Development Department chief Ramesh Khanal for further action. The other members of the committee are Bijay Mishra and Engineeer Arjun Bahadur K.C.

The probe Committee, constituted by NSC on the request of the Commission of Investigation into the Abuse of Authority (CIAA) completed its task in its stipulated time frame of 35 days.

Earlier, CIAA made its request to NSC after receiving complaints of financial irregularities by Thapa’s ANFA that has, however, been enjoying FIFA and AFC recognition despite being dismissed and dissolved by Nepalese government one year ago.

Advocate Nirala headed committee disclosed the amount of cash advances which the then ANFA released in its five-year term. It released about four hundred 90 thousands rupees in 1995-96, nine hundred seven thousand rupees in 1996-97, 11.14 million rupees in 1997-98, 12.97 million rupees in 1998-99, 9.53 million rupees in 99-2000 and 14.37 million rupees in 2000-2001.

Nirala’s committee also found Thapa guilty of asking for over-drafts from bank without any mention of it in the ANFA’s minute book but failing to acquire big amount of cash advances.

Moreover, The ANFA President went against ANFA statute by making him only the valid person to run the ANFA account by overlooking his general secretary and treasurer. He did the same while running the ANFA’s foreign currency account in his name. The account system of ANFA was not kept in accordance with general accountancy theory.

Nirala further said that FIFA and AFC rejected to send the probe committee information about the amount of financial assistance they provided to Thapa led ANFA. Moreover, the Bank where Thapa’s ANFA had account did not want to disclose the ANFA’s account. " We do not know the amount of cash assistance ANFA received from AFC," he said.

Apart from cash advances, the probe committee also alleged that Thapa led executive committee is guilty of not managing its decision book as per the general principle. It also alleged them for taking decisions that overruled their own ANFA statute. And again their action preempted their decisions taken during various ANFA executive body meeting. President Thapa has also been blamed of usurping other officials’ rights and running whole ANFA show on his own.

Nirala however praised the Thapa led ANFA for constructing good building in a short time and with less amount than quoted earlier and keeping all the accounts related to ANFA complex construction well managed.

But here too, Nirala said that Thapa’s ANFA prepared fake bills and invoices so that it could ask money from FIFA and AFC. Thapa created a fake Maila Construction Company on which name it used to prepare invoices for FIFA and AFC.

During the press meet NSC Member Secretary Palikhe said that the report has been prepared as per the request of CIAA. He instructed NSC lawyer to take up all necessary actions on allegations made against Thapa and ANFA.