NATIONAL 9 (Spotlight Weelky)]

Ground In A Mess

As the question of the legitimacy of ANFA lingers on, doubts persist whether Nepal can host the World Cup qualifying matches

By SANJAYA DHAKAL

Last year's delight of Nepalese football fans is fast giving way to disappointment, as there are strong doubts whether the scheduled World Cup qualifying round matches scheduled to take place in Kathmandu in March will ever materialize. It was just over a year ago when FIFA had decided that the qualifying match among Nepal, Kazakhstan, Iraq and Macau for the 2002 World Cup would be held in Kathmandu.

However, as the tug-of-war continues between Ganesh Thapa and Geeta Rana over the legitimacy of their respective All Nepal Football Associations (ANFA), the future of the important international tournament has been put on hold.

Thapa (right) and Rana : Locked in battle

"We have corresponded to FIFA and AFC (Asian Football Confederation) that we are ready to host the tournament and we are hopeful they will give us the opportunity," says Rana, the president of ANFA ad hoc committee. But the problem here is that Rana's ANFA, although backed by the government, is not recognized by FIFA or the AFC.

Thapa, on the other hand, whose ANFA has been recognized by both the governing bodies of international football, says he will host the tournament if the government provides him the stadium. Thapa's association, however, is not recognized by the Sports Ministry or the National Sports Council (NSC).

A classic irony emerged after Thapa held the election of ANFA in October 16, 2000 in defiance of the government (under the observation of AFC representative where he won the presidency unopposed) in an exercise that was boycotted by Rana's faction. Rana was later established as president of ANFA ad hoc committee by the NSC.

Sports analysts think that given the turmoil here, FIFA will in the end take away the tournament elsewhere and could even ban the country from playing the game for a certain period in retribution.

The fears of football fans find more ground given the atmosphere in which the ongoing Birthday Cup tournament is being held. Apart from three fringe clubs from India, none of the international clubs took part in the match as directed by the AFC, amid the mud-slinging between Thapa and Rana. Apparently, clubs from Korea, Bhutan and the Maldives despite having confirmed their participation, pulled out in the last minute, thanks to the ensuing confusion.

While Rana accuses Thapa of trying to sabotage the tournament by exploiting his contacts in the AFC/FIFA and asking them to prevent any international teams from participating in the Birthday Cup, the latter denies doing so.

"Why should I ever want to sabotage the tournament? I will always support anything that is positive for Nepalese football," says the former national captain. Thapa says that since Rana's ANFA is not recognized by FIFA/AFC, it is natural that international teams would not participate.

Thapa further charges that the ANFA under Rana is gradually transforming into a political body. "They are stooping so low in hurling allegations that they are blaming me for anything they cannot do. I will not be surprised if they blame me if smaller audiences come to the stadium or if some disturbances take place there."

The most surprising part in this whole drama is the apparent indifference with which the government is treating the issue. "Football is the most loved of all sports by the Nepalese. And look how the authorities are behaving when they should be taking decisions," Thapa says. "The government should make its views public. What does it want?"

Because of this indifference, Nepal could also lose the $1 million Goal Project which FIFA awarded last year. "That apart, Coca-Cola has already withdrawn a Rs 5 million assistance and so has Surya Tobacco," Thapa says.

Rana says she has the package to put an end to this confusion. "We are planning hold the election of ANFA sometime in February and where everyone can put their candidature," says Rana. But Thapa has other ideas. "We are recognized by FIFA and AFC. If any election is to take place, it is us who will decide." A tough gridlock indeed.

As the crisis of recognition haunts Nepalese football, an important international tournament like World Cup qualifying round that are seldom held here, is in peril of being snatched away.