ANFA Rejects Sports Council Directive, Cites Risk of Global Ban Amid Election Dispute

Sachit Subba

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Ahamad’s Century Defies Police Onslaught in Mulpani Thriller

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Cricket

Sheikh’s Century, Bagmati’s Nightmare: APF Dominates Mulpani Opener

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Football

Nepal U-20 Squad Departs for Maldives with SAFF Championship Ambitions

3 days ago

Football

Nepal U-20 Squad Departs for Maldives with SAFF Championship Ambitions

KATHMANDU – The Nepal U-20 national football team will depart for Male, Maldives, on Friday night to compete in the upcoming SAFF U-20 Championship. The tournament, scheduled from March 23 to April 4, offers Nepal a key opportunity to reestablish its position in regional youth football. Ahead of this challenge, the squad prepared diligently for the conditions they would face. To ensure the team is ready for the Maldives, the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) held a formal farewell ceremony on Thursday. ANFA General Secretary Kiran Rai, Assistant General Secretary Damodar Bhattarai, and Spokesperson Suresh Shah offered their best wishes after the squad completed a 40-day closed-camp training to prepare for the humid conditions. **Experience Meets Fresh Blood** Building on this preparation, Nepal maintains tactical continuity as Urjan Shrestha begins his third consecutive term as U-20 head coach. Shrestha previously led the team in the sixth edition at home in 2024 and the seventh edition in India last year, giving him significant experience with the tournament’s demands. Shrestha’s experience is critical for a team seeking to reclaim past glory. Nepal, a two-time champion with victories in the inaugural edition in Kathmandu and the second in Thimphu, has not won the trophy in recent years. Two years ago, Shrestha’s team lost 4-1 to Bangladesh in the final at Satdobato. Reflecting on these outcomes, Shrestha acknowledged that minor lapses in concentration have affected past performances. “We have frequently faltered due to small mistakes. Sometimes players acting on individual whims instead of the tactical plan has handed results to the opposition. This time, we are extremely serious about fixing those errors,” Shrestha stated. **A Lone Top-Flight Leader** Forward Dharvendra Kunwar, who plays for Jawalakhel Youth Club in the ANFA National League, will captain the team. Kunwar is the only member of the 23-man squad with top-flight experience, having played in the Martyr’s Memorial ‘A’ Division League three years ago. Despite this experience gap, Kunwar believes the team’s chemistry is a key strength. “Technically, the squad isn’t drastically different from previous years, but our team spirit has never been stronger. We are heading into this tournament with a very positive mindset,” he said. **Tournament Outlook: The Road to the Semifinals** Group A includes Nepal, the Maldives (hosts), Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. Nepal is in this group and faces a challenging route to the knockout stages. The seven participating nations are divided into two groups, with the top two from each advancing to the semifinals. **Group B: India (Defending Champions), Bangladesh, Pakistan** **Nepal’s Group Stage Schedule (All times NST)**: **Date Opponent Time** **March 23 Bhutan 4:30 PM** **March 25 Sri Lanka TBD** **March 27 Maldives TBD** Starting with the opening match against Bhutan on March 23, Shrestha’s team faces an important early test. With defending champions India in the opposite group, Nepal needs a strong start to advance beyond the group stage.

Clinical Finishes and Goal-Fests: Two Contrasting Matches at Chasyal Stadium

LALITPUR – The Martyr’s Memorial Women’s League 2082 accelerated at Chasyal Stadium this Thursday, featuring a double-header with disciplined defence and explosive scoring. Fans enjoyed 14 goals in two matches, as Nepal Police Football Club (NPFC) and Bagmati Youth Club each triumphed in distinct styles. **Police Force Their Dominance in Shutout Victory** In the afternoon match, Nepal Police Football Club WT played precisely, defeating Church Boys United Women's Team 5-0. Meena Deuba set the tone early, scoring in the 12th and again six minutes later, putting Church Boys on the defensive before 20 minutes elapsed. Police maintained relentless pressure in the second half. Rekha Poudel struck twice, in the 42nd and 51st minutes, and Amrita Jaishi netted another in the 43rd. Meena Deuba earned Player of the Match for her strong opening and two early goals. Despite late substitutions, including three at the end, Church Boys United failed to breach the resolute Police defence. ![](https://bootballer.com/storage/media/posts/XLjj0CI9xOXxWpwZJwf6cB5s4GInabBtFoPqRMPx.jpg) **Bagmati Edges Out R.S. Resort in Nine-Goal Thriller** In contrast to the controlled tempo of the later game, the morning match between Bagmati Youth Club WT and R.S. Resort and Beach Football Women's Team was full of action and unpredictability. The lead changed several times, but Bagmati held on for a hard-fought 5-4 win. The first half stayed tight, ending 1-1, but the second brought a surge of goals. Bagmati’s Asmita Magar excelled and was named Player of the Match. Substitutes Dikshya Ranpal and Mandira Rai swiftly helped Bagmati retain their advantage over a persistent R.S. Resort squad. Gita Shrestha and Barsha Kunwar led R.S. Resort’s rally, but their team fell just short. **Tactical Observations and League Standing** Both matches spotlighted rising talent in the 2082 League. NPFC displayed tactical expertise, while Bagmati showed resilience, essential in tournaments. The afternoon match attracted 575 fans, indicating heightened local interest in women’s football, while only a few attended the morning game. As teams advance, Church Boys United must strengthen their defence, while R.S. Resort can draw motivation from their potent attack, despite a one-goal loss.

Henjan’s Early Strike Decides Gritty Affair at ANFA Complex

LALITPUR – Tribhuvan Army Football Club (TAFC) eked out a 1-0 win over Satdobato Youth Club (SYC) in a tight Matchday 40 showdown of the National League 2082 at the ANFA Complex. The decisive moment came early, when the Army scored what would be the match’s only goal. Satdobato battled fiercely, but strong, tactical discipline and a flurry of second-half substitutions preserved the Army's lead. This win is crucial for TAFC in the single-round robin tournament. TAFC surged ahead in the 12th minute when Dinesh Henjan scored from close range, lifting the home team into the lead. Henjan, a constant presence throughout the first half, received a yellow card in the 26th minute for a late challenge. Meanwhile, Satdobato struggled to settle; Jagjeet Shrestha was booked in the 17th minute for disrupting an Army attack as the visitors tried to halt the Army’s momentum. ![](https://bootballer.com/storage/media/posts/02N6fvqxnShSq9nT9mN53maXQZcTAvTJK6lcdavs.jpg) In the second half, both managers, Bal Gopal Maharjan for TAFC and Bal Gopal Shahu for SYC, made a series of substitutions to shift the game's momentum. TAFC introduced Samit Shrestha as a goalkeeper in place of Bikesh Kuthu at the break, hoping for greater defensive solidity. Satdobato responded with late changes, deploying Suraj Jeu Thakuri, Ashim Rai, and Mingma Gyalzen Lama as they hunted for an equaliser, particularly pressing forward in the final ten minutes. However, despite these moves, they could not pierce the defence commanded by Bimal Pandey, who earned Player of the Match honours for thwarting several close SYC attempts on goal. As the Army clung to its hard-fought 1-0 advantage. Satdobato flashed moments of creativity, especially through their late substitutes, but Tribhuvan Army’s disciplined organisation enabled them to preserve a clean sheet and secure the win.

Cricket

Ahamad’s Century Defies Police Onslaught in Mulpani Thriller

KATHMANDU, Nepal – Basir Ahamad showed real grit in the middle order at the Lower Mulpani Cricket Ground. He helped Tribhuwan Army Club (TAC) recover from a shaky start and set a strong total against rivals Nepal Police Club. Ahamad’s quick 100 from just 86 balls changed the course of this important Men’s PM Cup match. He turned a slow beginning into a solid 243-run target. Early on, the bowlers had the upper hand, but Ahamad’s confident batting put the pressure back on a Police attack that had seemed unbeatable. The match started with strong tactics from the Police Club’s spin bowlers. Sagar Dhakal and Lalit Rajbanshi kept the Army’s top order under pressure and slowed their scoring. When Kushal Malla was out for just 7, it looked like the Army might not even reach 200 runs. But things changed when Ahamad and Bhim Sharki built a steady partnership. Sharki played carefully, scoring 62. Ahamad attacked, hitting two sixes and eight fours to reach his century. This match was tense because of the rivalry between these two teams in Nepali domestic cricket. The Police Club, with top international bowlers like Karan KC and Gulsan Jha, expected to dominate the Army’s batting. Ahamad’s century, scored at a strike rate of 116.27, revealed weaknesses in the Police’s bowling at the end of the innings. Rashid Khan took two late wickets, but the Police were already facing a tough challenge. ![](https://bootballer.com/storage/media/posts/zRcLvhP8Jfkhy2OvZux5b3pZgtxpOYWBbeUfg4xc.jpg) The Nepal Police Club’s run chase got off to a terrible start as the weather worsened. Aakash Chand and Kushal Malla took two wickets in the first 10 balls. Openers Dinesh Kharel and Amit Shrestha were sent back to the pavilion quickly. The score was just 12 for 2 after 1.3 overs, putting the Police under considerable pressure. Now, the middle order had to step up against a focused Army bowling attack to avoid losing their first match. **Statistical Performance Review** The final score showed how close and tactical the match was. Tribhuwan Army Club finished their innings at 242 for 8 in 47 overs. Basir Ahamad led with 100 runs from 86 balls. Bhim Sharki added a steady 62. For Nepal Police Club, Sarwan Yadav was the best bowler with 3 wickets for 24 runs in 6 overs. Sagar Dhakal kept things tight with 2 for 34 in 9 overs. Rashid Khan tried to bring the Police back into the game with 60 runs from 82 balls. However, the team was bowled out for 221 in 45.3 overs. Naren Saud led the Army’s bowling with 3 for 57, helping secure a 22-run win for Tribhuwan Army Club.

Sheikh’s Century, Bagmati’s Nightmare: APF Dominates Mulpani Opener

APF made an immediate impact at Mulpani. In the opening match of the PM Cup, the departmental team secured a decisive win, defeating Bagmati Province by 71 runs. They maintained control throughout the match. **The Aasif Sheikh Show** Bagmati won the toss and chose to bowl, probably hoping the morning moisture would benefit them. However, Aasif Sheikh quickly established himself at the crease. He consistently found gaps in the field and scored efficiently. With 14 fours and 3 sixes, Aasif made 114 runs off 105 balls. He looked unstoppable. When Sandeep Jora came in, momentum grew. Jora’s quick 52 off 53 balls helped APF. Rijan Dhakal took four wickets for Bagmati, but APF’s total was already out of reach. The target proved too much for Bagmati. ![](https://bootballer.com/storage/media/posts/l4qugoHYX1gPtXwiuYeo7xZMBCe2Z2j8MVXKfu3e.jpg) **A Suffocating Defense** Chasing 272 was always tough against APF's disciplined bowling. Bagmati struggled early. Bibek Magar scored a steady 34, but got little support. The rest of the team fell apart. And then there was Rohit Paudel. The APF skipper, Rohit Paudel, the APF captain, led from the front. He and Abhash Gautam tore through the Bagmati lineup, each taking three wickets. They shut down the chase, bowling Bagmati out for just 200 runs in the 46th over of the match. It showed the difference between the professional departmental teams and the provincial squads. APF arrived ready, with a top scorer and bowlers who performed under pressure. **The final damage:** **APF: 271/8 (50 overs)** **Bagmati: 200 All Out (45.1 overs)** **Result: APF wins by 71 runs**.

Police Club Retains Jai Trophy Title After Gritty Run Chase Against Army

KATHMANDU – Nepal Police Club (NPC) stayed on top of domestic cricket by beating Tribhuvan Army Club by four wickets, defending their Jai Trophy title at Mulpani Cricket Ground. For the second straight year, Police beat Army in the final of this prominent red-ball tournament. In a tight three-day match, NPC stayed composed under pressure to secure the win. **The Final Stand: Rashid and Kushal Lead the Charge** Police needed 227 runs in their last innings and balanced aggression with steadiness. Rashid Khan led with a crucial 81 from 128 balls, hitting eight boundaries and three sixes—the highest score in the final. Khan found a reliable partner in the explosive Kushal Bhurtel, whose quick 51 set the tone. After Army’s Shahab Alam and Pawan Karki claimed two wickets each in a brief turnaround, Dilshad Ali (31*) and Shankar Rana (13*) calmly guided Police home in a decisive partnership. Both teams posted identical scores of 221 in their first innings; earlier, Karan KC’s unbeaten 72 had kept Police in the contest. Army resumed the final day at 178 for 9, eventually pushing to 226 with late efforts from Akash Chand (37) and Kushal Malla (36). This late resistance set a testing target, but Police’s bowlers—led by Sagar Dhakal’s four crucial wickets—kept things within reach, setting the stage for the run chase. ![](https://bootballer.com/storage/media/posts/cPbSIb827v6vmz9PHkowYabYsSgytXD91gUdcEvq.jpg) **Tournament Honors** Rashid Khan won Player of the Match for his final-day performance, while Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi, Player of the Series and Best Bowler, excelled by taking wickets throughout the event. Bagmati Province will use a two-day league format and a three-day final to test Nepal’s best cricketers’ endurance.

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ANFA Rejects Sports Council Directive, Cites Risk of Global Ban Amid Election Dispute

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