ANFA eyeing bigger pie

From the time when FIFA initiated the Financial Assistance Programme   in 1999 designed to assist member football associations and confederations, especially in crucial areas of infrastructure, youth football and technical development, All Nepal Football Association has immensely benefited financially.

However, the sad irony is that Nepali football remains stagnant to date, despite the millions of dollars pouring into All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) earmarked for development of football in the country over several decades.

Suspended President of ANFA Ganesh Thapa is largely to blame for the pathetic state of   affairs. The utter failure of his leadership and the rampant corruption surrounding him   literally destroyed his administration and ultimately led to his disgraceful downfall.

Let me remind readers that it was during Mr. Thapa’s first term in office   as   ANFA boss, FIFA development funds in millions started pouring into ANFA’s coffer on a regular basis. 

Likewise, ANFA received/receives considerable revenues from the Asian Football Confederation and generated/generates money through sponsorship deals, as well.

Throughout his twenty-plus years at the helm, Mr. Thapa with a circle of his cronies had total control of the   finances with which they illegally made a fortune enriching themselves.

We all know they were shamelessly involved in corruption practice that was systematic and deep-rooted. The goal was never achieved, and most of the funds were embezzled.

There was virtually no accountability, transparency and monitoring of funds on the part of ANFA.

Mr. Thapa   obliterated methodically those who opposed him, and he put a lid on media that reported on his abuse of power and corrupt practice.

Besides, there was no independent audit of ANFA finances, resulting in financial corruption, right and left. No one could stop him.

And to make matters worse, both our government and the world football body turned a blind eye to it and left them to get away with their wrong doings.

It may be recalled that   in 2015 Transparency International undertook   a project to find out how transparent football associations/confederations around the world were/are about the money they receive from FIFA and their other revenues.

They released shocking findings that identified 87 football associations, including ANFA had/has no financial records publicly available   and do not publish activity accounts of what they do.

Furthermore, in the same year an investigative reporting done by  “Reuters” into FIFA funded  “Goal Projects “ in Nepal   further exposed massive misuse of funds and rampant corruption in Mr. Thapa ‘s administration.

Even though Mr. Thapa is out of the picture, but his shadow still looms large over ANFA. He continues to pull the strings behind the scenes.

Here we are again, it is   that time of the year for ANFA to get the big fat dollar from FIFA. 

ANFA headed by caretaker President Narendra Shrestha is entitled to apply for the development funds substantially bigger under the revised FIFA’s Forward Programme,

The FIFA Development Committee has kick –started the overhauled FIFA Forward development programme with objectives to support and help football development in the world.

The highlight of the revamped programme approved by the FIFA Congress in May 2016 is the significant increase of the FIFA budget allocated   for football development.

 A sizeable amount, $ 500,000, has been allocated for the operational cost of the association and a yearly amount of $ 750,000 for tailor made football development projects.

The development fund has been increased to $5 million from $1.6 million. This is an increase from $22 million to $ 40 million over four years. The funds are meant for strategic areas, organizational areas, sporting areas and footballing infrastructure.

Without a doubt, ANFA officials are on their toes feverishly working around the clock preparing the application, which they have to submit to FIFA to secure the funds.

FIFA   has demanded good governance, accountability and transparency (the so called prerequisites) from football associations to be eligible to receive funds.

Also FIFA has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, and   mandated the submission of annual accounts and corresponding audit reports, which will be made public, to FIFA every year, on the part of football associations.

This to me is so absolutely hilarious. I get the impression that FIFA had been sleeping behind the wheel all these years and done nothing to check and control rampant corruption in football for so long.

Back to ANFA, there is sufficient reason for worry, concern about the likelihood of further misappropriation of funds. The same group of people who worked hand in glove with Mr.Thapa still control and organize financial resources.

They are fiercely loyal to Mr. Thapa and it is no secret that they follow his orders. Can they be trusted?  I will let you decide.

It is extremely important that they do not mishandle funds for unjust enrichment and personal gain.  Mishandling of funds can easily take place if structures are not put in place. There has to be an appropriate, effective control system in place to make sure it does not happen again.

Despite the seemingly overwhelming odds, the reinstated ANFA officials VPs Karma Chhiring Sherpa, Bijay Manandhar, Kishor Rai along with Member Pankaj Nembang must play a pivotal role in preserving the integrity of ANFA and ensuring   that all members comply with ANFA statutes and rules.

They cannot take a back seat and become   mere spectators of proceedings in ANFA regardless of the situation. They have to make their presence felt in a big way and their voice heard, loud and clear. Otherwise, it becomes a mere formality and a meaningless gesture.

ANFA VP Sherpa had made a bold statement, by saying that ANFA cannot   be governed like before and they would to do whatever it takes to turn things around, following his reinstatement.

Whether he and his colleagues can deliver on their words, we will have to wait and see. I hope these are not just empty words and promises. This is your moment to prove to us that   you mean business.

Yes, it is easier said than done. I am very hopeful of a positive outcome, and I hope I am right.