APF revolt against ANFA's silent over their demand | Refused to send 11 players out of 22 members for Asian Games

The Nepali National Women's Football Team, which is preparing for the 19th Asian Games to be held in Hangzhou, China from September, will play two international friendly matches against Bangladesh in the last week of Asar. According to the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), the Nepali women's team will play two friendly matches against Bangladesh on Asar 28 and 31.

Bangladesh, an emerging South Asian power in women's football, is also the last time SAFF winner. The home team Nepal faced Bangladesh in the final of the SAFF Championship held at Dashrath Stadium last October. In that match, Nepal was defeated 3-1.

APF's refusal to send their players to closed camp

Anant Raj Thapa, who has been training the Nepali women's team since the friendly match against India, and two matches against Vietnam under the Paris Olympics 2024, has sent the final 22 members for the closed camp.

But among the players called by coach Anant, goal machine Sabitra Bhandari, goalkeeper Anjila Subba, and midfielders Saru Limbu, Renu Nagarkote including 11 other players ( a whole Nepalese women's set) will not participate. The reason is the zero accountability of All Nepal Football Association ANFA towards APF club.

Why APF didn't release their players for closed camp?

On Jestha 28, APF submitted a request to the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) for investigation, saying that the match was fixed in the Shahid Smarak A Division League and that the Three Star Club had illegally played players whose visas had expired. But the silence from ANFA on their demand led APF to decide not participate their women players in the closed training of the national team.

What is the demand of APF with ANFA?

APF had demanded an investigation for collusion in matches against Sankata and Friends Club and Three Star and Church Boys. Similarly, APF had claimed that Peter Segun and Ajay Martins from TSC took the field with fake labor certificates after their visas expired. After losing many points towards the end of this season, APF was placed in 13th place and relegated to B Division.

11 players out of 22 players are from APF

APF has said that it was forced to take such drastic measures after ANFA did not address their demands.

Among the 22 players called by head coach Anant Thapa are;

• Captain and goalkeeper: Anjila Tumbappo Subba
• Forwards: Sabitra Bhandari, Anita KC, Preeti Rai
• Defenders: Geeta Rana, Hira Kumari Bhujel, Nisha Thokar
• Midfielders: Renuka Nagarkote, Saru Limbu, Anita KC and Sabita Rana Magar

A harsh revolt from APF in a very crucial time

ANFA had prepared to start closed training from Sunday. But the closed training was stopped as APF players did not participate. It is up to the club to send their players to the national team or not. Even the departmental teams keep their players in their ranks & duty. APF is upset because ANFA did not investigate the match-fixing as demanded.

Similarly, the APF has also transferred the players of the men's football team who are in their respective areas of work. Sanish Shrestha and Awash Lamichhane, who were only contracted as players, were released by the club, while Nabin Lama and Mani Lama were assigned to duty, so coach Vincenzo did not include them in the team called for the World Cup qualifiers.