Nepal-Hong Kong Friendly Match Postponed Amidst ANFA-NSC Dispute Over Approvals
Kathmandu. The international friendly match scheduled between Nepal and Hong Kong has become uncertain due to the ongoing dispute between the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), the apex body of Nepali football, and the National Sports Council (NSC).
ANFA postponed the match, which was supposed to take place at Dasharath Stadium on the upcoming Chaitra 12, citing the NSC's failure to provide timely official approval. Football enthusiasts are disappointed as this match, scheduled under the FIFA window, has been caught in administrative complications.
According to the latest press release issued by ANFA, they had written to the NSC on Falgun 10, requesting necessary approval and stadium availability for the match. However, ANFA claims that they have not received any written response or approval from the Council for a long time.
The association noted that it is regrettable that they have not received official permission to conduct the match, even though ANFA has been bearing all financial and technical responsibilities, such as stadium maintenance, floodlight fuel, staff allowances, and scoreboard operation.
With very little time remaining for preparation for the international game and only uncertainty being created by the NSC, the ANFA secretariat decided to postpone the match after informing the Hong Kong Football Association. However, immediately after ANFA announced the postponement, the NSC issued another statement claiming they had 'already granted approval,' leading the dispute to take a new turn. ANFA has raised serious questions about the intent of the Council's administration because, although the NSC claims to have issued the letter on Chaitra 5, the letter was only made public on Chaitra 8.
In the statement issued by ANFA Spokesperson Suresh Shah, it was alleged that the NSC blamed ANFA to hide its administrative shortcomings. ANFA clarified that the responsible body like the NSC has protected employees with malicious intent instead of keeping its administration efficient, and they have still not received any official written letter.
ANFA has also apologized to all football supporters for this awkward situation caused by administrative delays in a match linked to national pride and international relations.
This specific news has been automatically translated by AI. As a result, there may be some inaccuracies or language errors.
