NATIONAL 5 (Spotlight Weekly)]

Messed Up

Amid the ensuing power struggle between Ganesh Thapa and Geeta Rana, Nepal loses the hard-won chance of hosting the World Cup qualifying round

By SANJAYA DHAKAL

It is official now. The worst fears of Nepalese football fans have come true. Nepal will no longer be hosting the World Cup qualifying round in March. Instead, the tournament will be played in Kazakhstan capital Almaty in April.

The world football governing body FIFA snatched Nepal's chance to host the game and awarded that to Kazakhstan amid the unending row between Ganesh Thapa and Geeta Rana over whose ANFA is legitimate. The tournament would have been participated by Nepal, Iraq, Kazakhstan and Macau. This is a qualifying round for 2002 World Cup which is going to be held jointly by South Korea and Japan.

Nepalese football : Marred by politics

In the whole episode of this foul play, it was the referee (the government in this case), whose role was the most dubious. "It is now clear beyond a trace of doubt that the government is not interested in developing football," mourned Sanubhai Thapa, the captain of Jawalakhel Youth Club (JYC).

"While both Mr Thapa and Mrs Rana have previous football experience, there is no doubt that both were given their positions based on political allegiance. Football is not politics and must not be treated as such. We must ensure that football activity and regulation in Nepal is governed by a non-partisan organization and not an organization that will change with each new government. Only with an independent governing body can the sport sustain itself throughout political changes," said Bikesh Shrestha, president of the Nepal Football Fan Club, a non-profit organization created to promote the sport and to build accountability in the sport's administration.

When Nepal was awarded the chance to host the tournament in 2000, it was hailed as one of the biggest triumphs of Nepalese football in its 50-year-old history. But now when that chance has been snatched away, nobody is coming forward to take the responsibility.

The downfall of Nepalese football began in October last year when then All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) chief Ganesh Thapa went ahead unilaterally to hold new election -- which was, interestingly, observed by representative from Asian Football Confederation (AFC) -- despite protests from National Sports Council (NSC).

While Thapa was elected new ANFA chief, it was understandably de-recognized by the NSC, which in turn, made school principal-turned-sports administrator Geeta Rana the head of ANFA ad hoc committee.

This led to a unique confusion in the country with two ANFAs in existence. Whereas Thapa enjoyed FIFA's blessings, Rana controlled the football infrastructures in the country.

"We were willing to host the tournament," said Rana, accusing Thapa of playing politics in making FIFA take away the tournament.

Thapa, on the other hand, contends that the ANFA (led by him) was willing to host the tournament had the NSC given them the permission to use Dasrath stadium. "Since we are the legitimate ANFA in the eyes of FIFA/AFC, there was no question of these associations awarding the tournament to Rana."

Though the arguments from both the sides hold water, it is unfortunate that they could not reconcile their differences in the face of such an important event. "When even traditional enemies like South Korea and Japan can come together to hold World Cup, there was no reason why Rana and Thapa couldn't have struck a deal in favor of the football," said a sports analyst.

As Thapa was given the seal of approval by AFC as well as FIFA, it is clear that they, too, are party to this whole affair. To an extent, they are also responsible for this vertical split in Nepalese football.

"Now that very split has led to the relocation of the tournament. Nepal is without its tournament, its tourism revenue from visiting fans, and a boost for football in the public eye. We are clearly appalled by the situation," said Bikesh Shrestha.

Unfortunately, even as the FIFA has taken away the tournament, the government seems less than concerned. It is a pity that the politicians are decimating the very sports which the majority of their people love.