Save Nepal Football vs. Save Ganesh Thapa

The direct involvement of national players, coaches and referees in the corruption saga involving President of All Nepal Football Association Ganesh Thapa is very unfortunate and a travesty.

Loyalists of President of All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) Mr. Thapa recently submitted a memorandum (signed by a host of players, coaches and referees) to the National Sports Council (NSC) and the Sports Ministry in defense of their boss surprised me a bit.

This, of course, is a desperate attempt aimed at putting pressure on the government to change course on part of the  “Save ANFA Chief Ganesh Thapa “Group.

The group had/has the gall to accuse the Public Accounts Commission (PAC) of bias and call into question their motives and actions.

What pisses me off the most is that they have shamelessly dragged a youngster   like Bimal Gharti Magar   into the ANFA mess that is getting murkier by the day.

Understandably, the poor lad was talked into signing the memorandum solely to garner public support.

It is very obvious that they   want to capitalize   on his popularity with football goers. Hard to imagine that that   they   can stoop to such   low levels.

The Parliamentary Public Accounts is putting the heat on the government. They have directed the government to suspend President of ANFA Mr. Thapa, Vice-President Lalit Krishna Shrestha, Chief –Secretary Dhirendra Pradhan and Treasurer Birat Jung Shah from office till the investigation period.

The “Save Nepal Football” group has vowed to step up their campaign further against Mr. Thapa and threatened to take to the streets.

At the moment, Nepali football remains factionalized and divided like the country. The fight   between the two groups, “Save Nepal Football” and “Save ANFA Chief Ganesh Thapa “ is intensifying.

Senior players Sagar Thapa and Sandip Rai   addressed the press to voice their concerns, fears about the uncertainties facing   Nepali football recently.

They expressed the fear that FIFA might   suspend Nepal from international football as a result of government interference in the administration of ANFA. We have heard this line dime-a –dozen times from the ANFA boss.

Other than highlighting the urgency to end the ongoing crisis in order to safeguard the interest, and future of Nepal football, footballers, they had nothing much to say.

But when questioned, on the corruption scandal surrounding Mr. Thapa, ANFA,’s failure to develop the game   and organize Kathmandu League for three years and many more, they failed to deliver answers.

All they said was those accused of corruption charges must be investigated and punished accordingly.

Be it players or referees or coaches, they have every right to voice their opinions, concerns on all   matters directly or indirectly affecting them.  

Everyone is aware   that   athletes are   influenced and used by power brokers to protect their interests, in one way or the other.  National footballers are the most targeted, even more so than other athletes.

It would be a huge blunder should footballers align themselves with Mr. Thapa and his associates who are embroiled in corrupt activities, financial maladministration, unethical conduct, and losing public and political support.  Also they must realize that their support is in no way going to get anything solved

They got to be very smart, extra careful that their support for the wrong people does not backfire and   taint their image. Always think twice and act wise, no matter what you decide or do in a situation, there will be negative consequences.

Already in the eyes of many   a handful of    senior national players have sold themselves to ANFA.  They must avoid the mistake of becoming spokespersons for ANFA and   inviting public wrath.

Instead it is very important that they learn to rise above petty politics. Making the best   of a bad course of action would be to request FIFA to support the investigation against Mr. Thapa and not suspend Nepal from international football.

Coach Jack Stefanowski had no business sitting alongside players at the press conference. Although he did not menace a word, his mere presence provided symbolic support to Mr. Thapa.  What a pity?

Everyone agrees that there is an urgent need to overhaul ANFA so that it regains its lost integrity, accountability, and transparency, coupled with a new leadership.

A popular but baseless myth is the notion that there is no one to replace Mr. Thapa.  You are just a fool if you believe. Given the opportunity, there are many competent, honest, knowledgeable professionals ready to step forward to lead ANFA.