ANFA Election Postponed Yet Again

ANFA Election Thrown into Disarray Amidst Suspension and Boycotts

Kathmandu, Nepal – The planned ordinary congress and election of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), originally slated for Friday, found itself embroiled in significant confusion and controversy until the very last moment. A suspension by the National Sports Council (NSC) and widespread objections from key stakeholders cast a dark shadow over the proceedings, ultimately leading to its postponement.

The dramatic turn of events began on Wednesday when the NSC formally suspended ANFA for a period of three months. This action was reportedly taken due to ANFA’s perceived disregard for state warnings and its insistence on proceeding with an early election. Despite this official suspension, a considerable number of ANFA officials and voting representatives had already converged on Jhapa, the designated venue, in anticipation of Friday’s vote.

However, their presence was met with a significant backlash. Several individuals holding voting rights, alongside candidates vying for various positions within the association, publicly declared their withdrawal from the election on Thursday. They cited the ANFA’s suspension by Nepal’s sports governing body as the primary reason for their refusal to participate.

A United Front Against Controversial Elections

A joint press conference held in Kathmandu on Thursday afternoon brought together a coalition of clubs representing the A, B, and C Divisions, as well as members from various district associations. Their message was clear: they would not lend their legitimacy to an election conducted by an organization under suspension.

Dirgha Bahadur KC, a presidential candidate, articulated this sentiment forcefully at the press conference. “We cannot participate in the election after ANFA’s suspension,” he stated. “There are many candidates who will not participate.” KC further highlighted the pervasive uncertainty surrounding the event, even for those intending to run. “I am a presidential candidate. But I still do not know where and when exactly in Jhapa on Friday the election will take place. I even asked the ANFA Election Committee’s Member-Secretary Lokendra Oli, but he also expressed innocence.”

KC was the sole challenger to the incumbent ANFA President, Pankaj Bikram Nembang, for the top leadership role.

More Withdrawals Signal Deep Discontent

The dissent extended beyond the presidential race. Pema Dolma Lama, one of the ten candidates vying for one of the four vice-presidential posts, submitted a letter to the ANFA Election Committee formally withdrawing her candidacy. “I do not want to be part of an election that is mired in controversies,” she wrote. Lama, currently an executive committee member in Nembang’s administration, holds the distinction of being the first woman footballer to score an international goal for Nepal.

The composition of the voting body itself was a point of contention. As per the list of voting representatives established on March 13, a total of 88 individuals were eligible to vote. This electorate comprised representatives from 50 district associations affiliated with ANFA, though only 46 of them were listed on the final voting roster. Additionally, 14 A-Division clubs, 11 B-Division clubs, and nine C-Division clubs each held one voting right. The top four teams from the President League, along with associations representing players, women, referees, and coaches, also possessed a single vote each.

Karma Tsering Sherpa, president of the Himalayan Sherpa Club and a voting representative from an A-Division club, issued a stark warning at the press conference. “If you become part of this election, you will be remembered for being part of a black day in Nepali football,” he declared. Echoing this sentiment, Upendra Man Singh, president and voting representative for the B-Division’s Madhyapur Youth Association, stated, “I cannot be part of this unconstitutional election as ANFA is under suspension from the state.”

FIFA and AFC Backing: A Lingering Question

Amidst the mounting reservations and boycotts, a critical question loomed: would ANFA proceed with the election regardless, relying on the purported backing of FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)? For a significant period, ANFA remained conspicuously silent, offering no response to the NSC’s suspension.

It wasn’t until 7:01 PM on Thursday that the footballing body finally broke its silence. A notice was posted on its social media channels, announcing the postponement of the election scheduled for March 27. The notice, signed by Election Committee coordinator Ramchandra Gautam, member Samjhana KC, and Member-Secretary Lokendra Oli, explicitly cited the receipt of the NSC’s March 25 suspension letter on March 26 as the reason for the deferral “until further notice.”

A History of Postponements and Ethical Concerns

This marks the third instance of ANFA’s election being postponed. The association’s executive committee, elected in June 2022 for a four-year term, had initially resolved to hold the election in Jhapa on February 11, a decision made at least four months prior to the conclusion of their mandate.

Previous postponements were attributed to interventions from the NSC and the Patan High Court. The latest date set before the current suspension was March 27.

Defending the decision to hold an early election, ANFA’s General Secretary, Kiran Rai, had stated in a January 3 press conference, “No institution is allowed to extend its tenure beyond the rules, but it can shorten its term if it chooses to do so.”

However, critics argue that the early election was motivated by a desire to circumvent necessary changes at the district level. Sherpa, a former president of ANFA, suggested, “Around 22-23 district presidents would have been new if ANFA followed the ethics. And they fear they will lose if new faces come to the district associations.” The district branches that supported Nembang’s team in 2022 still retain their existing executive committees. Both the NSC and various critics have advocated for ANFA to hold its elections only after fresh mandates are secured at the district level.

The Specter of FIFA and AFC Sanctions Looms

The postponement of the election, while averting an immediate crisis, does little to resolve the underlying issues plaguing Nepali football. There are significant fears that FIFA and AFC may soon impose severe sanctions on Nepali football, potentially leading to the suspension of ANFA itself, on grounds of third-party interference. The ongoing saga underscores a deep-seated struggle for governance and transparency within the sport in Nepal.