General Secretary’s salary hike overshadows ANFA’s positive decisions

Kathmandu, Aug. 31: Netizens have slammed the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) throughout social media platforms after the football’s governing body decided to increase the monthly salary of ANFA’s general secretary to USD 2,ooo (over Rs. 268,000) from Rs. 120,000. 

It was one of the 13 football-related decisions made by the two-day ANFA Executive Committee meeting on August 27 and 29. However, the decision has shadowed the 12 other favourable decisions to the country’s football sector.

Nepali football fans have accused the salary increment of being unreasonable at a time when the country’s players are paid far less. The executive committee, however, has also increased the players’ (senior men’s and women’s team) wages from Rs. 18,000 to Rs. 30,000 per month. FIFA-recognised referees are being paid Rs. 20,000 per month.

Meanwhile, as per the ANFA officials, the salary of the general secretary was increased based on FIFA/AFC standards and via FIFA funding. “There is a provision in FIFA funding that covers the wages of the general secretary. The USD 2,000 salary is being paid through FIFA funding,” said Suresh Shah, ANFA’s spokesperson.

“We cannot use the funding for salary in other sectors. Thus, rather than letting it go to waste, the ANFA decided to seek the high salary for the post of general secretary,” Shah added.

According to the ANFA officials, the salary was still lower than what the general secretaries received in other footballing nations.

“We are accountable for the funds received from the FIFA and AFC; they monitor the utilisation of the funds. The ANFA has not misused any funding but utilised them to the utmost. We are receiving funds currently under FIFA 2.0 while FIFA 3.0 will begin from January 2025,” Shah told The Rising Nepal.

“The ANFA receives an annual budget of Rs. 2.5 million from the government under the topic of ‘awarding players’. That’s it. All other activities in Nepali football are covered through FIFA/AFC funding and the earnings from promotion, sponsorship, broadcasting and ticket sales,” said Shah.

The ANFA requested the football community to look into the positive developments of Nepali football as well.

“The ANFA has allocated USD 2.2 million for the construction of an advanced football stadium with a capacity to accommodate 25-40,000 audience. A three-member committee has been formed to coordinate with the government for land acquisition,” said Shah.

The three-member committee is led by ANFA vice-president Dipak Khatiwada and comprises vice-president Dawa Lama and member Manish Joshi.

Alongside a new stadium, decision no. 1 also provisions to use USD 300,000 to repair Dasharath Rangasala after the ownership is handed over to the ANFA from the National Sports Council. “We plan to install pro turf on Dasharath Rangasala as grass is difficult to maintain under available resources and manpower,” Shah added.

The ANFA has also stated to gift cars to the year’s best male and female footballers, Rs. 200,000 and a motorcycle/scooter each to the best coach and referee, motorcycle/scooter and Rs. 500,000 under lifetime achievement award.

The ANFA has also allocated USD 100,000 each for football grounds in Godawari Municipality of Lalitpur, Dhulikhel Municipality of Kavre and Saptari. A similar budget has been allocated for the construction of training centres in Sindhupalchowk, Kailali.   For infrastructure in Dhading, Makwanpur and Jumla districts among others, the ANFA has separated USD 500,000. The ANFA is also buying football equipment, luggage delivery van and shuttle bus for players under USD 300,000, USD 25,000 and USD 100,000 respectively.

Nevertheless, while the ANFA has decided to bring a new coach (with a pro license) to the men’s team, there has been no such decision on the women’s team. President of the ANFA Women's Association, Pema Dolma Lama, had demanded a foreign and experienced coach for the women’s team as well.

“We need a sufficient budget for professional coaches. Of late, we are focused on developing women’s football. We have invested in domestic leagues to upgrade women’s football,” said Shah. The ANFA Women’s League is kicking off on Sunday from Dasharath Rangasala while the other matches will be played at ANFA Complex in Lalitpur.

The ANFA has also allocated a budget for the ANFA U-16 Youth League scheduled after two months. “We are also organising a three-year-long grassroots programme from this year. It will focus on identifying promising talents and training them to represent the country,” said Shah.