Failure to act against Ganesh Thapa exposes FIFA

The success achieved by Nepal in the inaugural Under-19 South Asian Federation Football Championship in Kathmandu is of great significance.

The championship victory over India was sweet and well deserved. The Young Gunners deserve every bit of accolade for the fantastic result.

The youngsters showed poise, conviction, positive approach, and aggression, coupled with great teamwork throughout the competition.

Going into the tourney, the home side was under enormous pressure to deliver the goods and perform to their potential. In addition, they had to meet the expectations of a very expectant, frustrated partisan crowd.

Much to everyone’s relief and delight, Coach Bal Gopal Maharjhan’s boys not only rose to the occasion but also raised the level of their performance.

The euphoria of triumph has triggered renewed hope in the hearts of sport enthusiasts. Fans and media alike were literally swept away with the team’s success.

How long will the joy last?   I don’t know.  Hopefully, we all agree that challenges and changes ahead will go a long way toward determining our success as a force to reckon with in South Asia.

Not trying to take away any credit from the victors, they are very talented and played superbly. Of course, they have a trophy to prove it.

That said, the only way to further prove critics, skeptics   wrong that their success was not just a flash in the pan is by living up to expectations in the days ahead.

Hats off to Coach Maharjhan and Team Nepal. Let us not get too carried away and caught up in the moment. 

The Under-19 success shows there is certainly no dearth of talent in the country; however, a significant chunk has gone to waste due to All Nepal Football Association ‘s (ANFA) disastrous governance.

 In spite of the situation, the good news is that there is a boom in youth football across the country lately.

But does it really matter to ANFA? I doubt it very much. All these years, Nepali football has taken a step backward instead of moving forward.

Football has become   almost non-relevant due to lack of proper development structure, programs from the grass roots up to the national team and professional management.

Mr.Thapa and his cronies have always put self-interest ahead of the good of football. They are responsible for the current woes in Nepali football.

 Has Mr. Thapa no shame? Hot on the heels of U-19 team’s success, he urged the government to invest more in Nepali football.

Putting money into ANFA’s coffers would be a huge blunder and   waste of taxpayers’ money, especially not under Mr. Thapa’s corrupt leadership.

Years of   corruption, weak   leadership, lack of operational

transparency and accountability, mismanagement, broken promises and   failed governance have long plagued and marred Nepali football.

The gross misuse of funds meant for the development of grass roots level football by the football body is a well -known story.

Despite Mr. Thapa’s transgression, ironically, FIFA’s policy of non-interference and failure to act against him has been the single biggest roadblock to Nepali football development.

Not forgetting, these are the same folks with the same mentality running the show for a record 21 years, so it will never change. They are slick and smart.

Now, all of a sudden ANFA has announced a slew of initiatives at improving the quality of football in Nepal. This is not nothing but an old ploy from his playbook to make them look good.

It appears though Mr.Thapa is gearing up for another electoral success. Even if it means bending the rules, he is known for, he will leave no stone unturned to get re-elected to a sixth term.

His biggest strength is the machinery and resources he has put together. Should that happen it is bound to spell catastrophe for Nepali football.

Legally speaking, someone like Mr.Thapa under investigation for alleged corruption charges does not qualify for office. He should have been suspended until a decision is reached.

FIFA must   determine his guilt or innocence before he makes another run for office.

By letting Mr.Thapa off the hook, FIFA is doing a great disservice to Nepali football. I have zero faith in FIFA.