New Government Plans to End Politicization of Sports
Players representing the country receive no incentives from the government. Many athletes barely earn enough from government funds to afford a simple snack. The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has faced suspension by the National Sports Council (Rakhap) and risks international sanctions after holding a meeting contrary to legal provisions. Due to political conflicts, the 10th National Games scheduled for Mangsir 2081 have not taken place, and controversies continue to plague the sports sector. The new government plans to stop politicization of sports and implement reforms by appointing qualified experts. Kathmandu, 13 Chaitra — If ANFA had conducted its assembly in accordance with the law, it would be holding it now. With the new government formed on Friday, ANFA was also expected to receive new leadership. However, by attempting to hold an assembly in violation of the Sports Development Act 2077, ANFA not only faced suspension from Rakhap but also jeopardized Nepalese football’s standing internationally. This situation arose due to ANFA’s refusal to comply with directives from Rakhap—the government’s sports authority—and Rakhap’s determination to halt the assembly at all costs. The long-standing dispute between the Nepal Olympic Committee and Rakhap also remains unresolved.
Political clashes have prevented the 10th National Games, which were scheduled for last year’s Mangsir, from taking place. Such divisions and irregularities are widespread across Nepalese sports. After the 9th National Games held in Gandaki Province during Ashoj-Kartik 2079, the 10th games were announced to be held in Karnali Province in Mangsir 2081, but political instability has prevented this event ever since. Even after the Jenaji movement on Bhadra 23-24 and the appointment of sports minister Bablu Gupta, the 10th National Games could not be conducted on the scheduled date. The event has been repeatedly postponed due to differences among government officials from different parties, and due to the absence of their representatives in the thematic committee.
The responsibility of addressing issues such as ANFA’s suspension, settling old disputes with the Olympic Committee, and organizing the delayed National Games now rests with the new government. Many sports associations alongside ANFA and the Olympic Committee have also been operating in violation of national sports laws. According to Nepalese regulations, foreign individuals entering on visitor visas are not permitted to compete. However, several sports associations have been allowing foreign players to participate without proper work permits. Recently, after the Immigration Department instructed ANFA to bar players on visitor visas, competitions were halted. Vikram Lama, president of the Nepal Football Players Association, points out the absence of effective monitoring policies in sports.
Lama believes regular inspections could resolve many disputes within sports associations. “No matter how much budget is allocated, there are almost never any inspections,” he said. “Such monitoring should be conducted only by experts related to the sport; clear government policies on venue, expenditure, and so forth would lead to improvements within associations.” Along with politicization, sports associations suffer from opacity and lack of accountability. Many associations maintain secrecy over player selection criteria and financial accounts. For instance, the country’s popular Nepal Cricket Association (CAN) has yet to publicly disclose accounts for the first edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) held last year. Associations are often led by the same individuals for 10 to 15 years, with leadership selection based on political quotas rather than merit, resulting in politically influential but less qualified individuals taking charge.
Former Rakhap Secretary Yuvraj Lama attributes the ongoing problems in Nepalese sports largely to political interference. “Political involvement causes continuous disputes in sports associations,” he said. When associations become embroiled in controversies, little support goes to players, but much time gets spent in courts. Voices have been raised for restructuring Rakhap and revising the Sports Act to revitalize Nepalese sports. The Rakhap Board has 37 members, all appointed through political party quotas. “The board has become too large; people appointed through party quotas join who have no understanding of sports. How can they effectively work in the sports sector?” said one board member. “The board size needs to be reduced, and merit-based appointments should be implemented.”
Following disputes with the Olympic Committee, former Sports Minister Tej Lal Chaudhary introduced a bill last Jestha to amend the Sports Development Act 2077. Rather than aiming for sports reforms, the proposed amendment was seen as an attempt to assert ego over the Olympic Committee, sparking criticism. The bill was not even discussed with the board. However, after the dissolution of the House of Representatives following the Jenaji movement, the bill stalled. Delays have meant athletes who have brought international recognition to Nepal have had to wait years to receive awards due to procedural hurdles. Public appeals from players demanding awards have become a common but unfortunate situation.
It has been over a thousand days since Nepal’s biggest football tournament, the A-Division League, was last held. Without the league, players’ futures remain uncertain, prompting many to seek opportunities abroad. Because the government lacks clear post-career plans for athletes, many quit sports and go abroad midway. Even athletes employed by government departments see no future in Nepal. Competitions for showcasing talent are decreasing, while events conducted under political party names are increasing. Lama asserts that implementing merit-based selection methods in sports and their administrative elections could solve half the problems. “If elections in sports associations and employee appointments were meritocratic and conducted online, half the issues could be resolved,” he said.
To link sports with education, the current government has merged the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, forming a single ministry now led by Sasmit Pokharel. The government faces the challenge of addressing the three main problems of Nepalese sports: politicization, lack of investment, and absence of incentives. Pokharel, newly appointed sports minister, shared his plan to end politicization. His first commitment is to appoint experts from the sports sector to all sports bodies. “From now on, sportspeople will manage sports; politicians will not,” he declared. “All bodies related to Rakhap and sports will be staffed with experienced professionals from those fields.”
Minister Pokharel identified politicization as the principal enemy of the sports sector. “Excessive politicization has damaged sports. Politics is not needed everywhere. Political interference in sports will be removed,” he affirmed. Former Rakhap Secretary Lama suggests the government must stop chaotic and party-based budget allocations to sports associations and ensure equal budget allocations to all. “Budget should not be given to party-affiliated organizations or partisan leadership but rather to individuals truly committed to the sports sector,” he asserted. He also recommended adopting policies to develop sports from the grassroots level by appointing sports teachers. For example, the national volleyball team does not have a single covered hall of its own. Players representing the nation receive no state incentives, and many struggle to afford basic snacks from government funds. Neither associations nor the government have developed plans to promote sports at lower levels. Sports activities at schools, considered the foundation of sports, are minimal. There is neither investment nor encouragement for those involved in sports.
The new government faces the challenge of resolving all three critical problems in Nepalese sports. By merging education and youth sports ministries under Sasmit Pokharel’s leadership, a focused effort will be made to end political interference. “We will end politicization,” Minister Pokharel pledged, promising to bring in qualified experts and restore transparency and accountability in the sports sector.