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Showing posts from December, 2014

Ganesh Thapa's corruption scandal biggest Nepali sport news of 2014

As always, football, the most popular and followed sport in the world dominated sporting headlines globally in 2014. The spectacular championship performance capped by Germany at the World Cup held in Brazil was the year’s biggest storyline. On the other hand, contrary to expectations, Brazil’s humiliating debacle in the same competition was one of the greatest upsets in sports history. On the domestic front, not surprisingly, it was a dismal, depressing and unproductive year for Nepali football in terms of progress, performances and results. Nepali football was in spotlight through out the year and gained national and international attention, for all the wrong reasons. As a result, disillusioned football enthusiasts    had to go through    another    season of winless, frustrating, disheartening and trying season of football. They were given virtually nothing to cheer about or feel good. Die-hard sport fans in the country are aware that football is not heade

2014: Despite challenges year of wonderful achievements for cricketers

Cricket is becoming an increasingly popular sport in Nepal.  It should therefore come as no surprise that cricket was at the forefront of national sport news for the most part in 2014. The heartwarming news is that cricket popularity is on the rise, despite the uncertainty and sorry state of Nepali cricket. It is jut as popular as always. Looking back on the year in Nepali cricket, it becomes necessary to identify the high points and low points, coupled with our successes and challenges. The past year was marked by successes, disappointments, controversies, protests and power struggle within the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN). We also witnessed another growth spurt in cricketing activities across the country and the emergence of a highly talented new crop of players. It was a super busy year for cricketers in terms of competitions. Let me begin on a positive note, the national team skippered by Paras Khadka made their maiden appearance at the ICC World Cup Tw

ANFA brings shame to the country

All Nepal Football Association’s   woes keep growing by the day. Mr. Ganesh Thapa led football body is currently mired in controversies galore. Do not get too taken aback    should    ANFA face more controversies, scandals in the coming days. The decision by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to fine ANFA $ 2000 for fielding overage players in the AFC U-16 tournament held in Thailand not too long ago is another huge setback to Nepali football. This obviously is national embarrassment. I am    very disappointed but not surprised given the total apathy of ANFA’ s leadership and incompetence. This    is a sheer case of pure neglect and irresponsibility on part of the football body. The latest scandal has only added    fuel to the fire and further tainted the image of ANFA, which is    already dogged by    corruption, mismanagement and uncertainty. To be fair, the fielding    of overage players in age –group tournaments is not only restricted    to Nepal but is

ANFA should stop throwing dust into our eyes

Football enthusiasts and participating teams eagerly waiting for the much-anticipated so-called National Football League to kick off have been left hugely disappointed, following the postponement of the competition.   With President of All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) Mr. Ganesh Thapa serving a four- month suspension, there was uncertainty over the organization of the National Football League (NFL) from the very beginning.   I am afraid it is going to be a long wait. As I write, it is official; the NFL has been postponed indefinitely. It’s no surprise. I anticipated it.   After football watchers expressed     serious doubts regarding      ANFA’s inability to organize the NFL, not only did Vice-President     and CEO of ANFA brushed off doubters, but also they shamelessly reiterated and insisted that the competition would be held at the scheduled dates, only to ridicule themselves.   There is no doubt in my mind that ANFA postponed the competition under     the pr