Kathmandu, Oct.16: Incumbent President of the All Nepal Football Federation Ganesh Thapa and other executive members were elected unanimously to Nepal’s supreme soccer Monday against government wishes Monday.
The election was held at Hotel Malla after the government appointed nominee of the ANFA captured the headquarters of the ANFA under heavy police protection Monday morning.
The National Sports Council headed by Education Minister Amod Prasad Upadhya earlier Monday delivered a letter to Mrs. Geeta Rana that she had been appointed the chief of the All Nepal Football Association ( ANFA) Monday morning as a rival said it will conduct elections for a new executive.
Mrs.Rana, the first woman to head Nepal’s football organization occupied the office Monday morning under heavy police protection at the Sathdobato sports complex built by the Chinese government and is also the head office of the ANFA.
The government appointed a 31 member ad hoc ANFA committee under Mrs. Rana to manage Nepal’s football activities Friday but the letter was formally delivered to her Monday morning after offices opened following a two-day holiday.
The National Sports Council, Nepal’s apex sports body, simultaneously dissolved a rival ANFA executive headed by Ganesh Thapa as illegal after it had completed its term– a move challenged by Thapa. Thapa is a former captain of the national team.
Thapa said he is conducting elections for a new executive Monday at the same complex occupied by Mrs. Rana at 1 PM.
Manilal Fernando, AFC Vice President and FIFA Committee member on legal matters is coming Monday to observe elections conducted by the Thapa group as a power struggle between the government, the Council and the Thapa group continues.
Representatives from districts and five development regions have already arrived in the capital for the vote as the National Sports Council said it will take punitive action against Council officials who participate in the elections of the rival body.
Nepali football will suffer as both bodies try to get international recognition but government has fully backed Mrs. Rana who is also Principal of the Galaxy Public School.
The Council appointed Mrs. Rana at a meet under the chairmanship of Education Minister Amod Prasad Upadhaya.