KATHMANDU: The 19th Congress of All Nepal Football Association has begun in Sanepa on Tuesday.

Chief guest Minister for Youth and Sports Dawa Lama inaugurated the event by lighting an oil-fed lamp. The event is being presided by ANFA President Karma Tsering Sherpa.

President Sherpa also gave a welcome speech to the distinguished guests who graced the event. Sherpa briefed the event about the progressive programs ANFA has been undertaking.

Sherpa said the leadership had focused on strengthening the five pillars― good governance, infrastructure, training, competition, capacity building― of the organization.

Sherpa thanked the guests and other participants for accepting ANFA’s invitation to take part in the event.
President of Nepal Sports Journalists Forum (NSJF) Durganath Subedi also gave a welcome speech during the event.

He lauded ANFA’s efforts of transparency and stressed the need for investing in grassroots football and women’s football.

Subedi said the decision of equal pay taken by ANFA should be followed by other organizations too and should not be limited on paper. He wished well for the successful completion of the event.

Former Youth and Sports Minister Purushottam Poudel said football should be a medium for social unity. Former ANFA President Narendra Shrestha also wished for the conclusion of the Congress.

National Sports Council Member Secretary Ramesh Silwal said ANFA had to face various hurdles that have curtailed the expected achievements. He wished ANFA well to clear such hurdles and achieve their aim of making football sustainable.

Speaking in the opening session, Secretary at Ministry of Youth and Sports Ram Prasad Thapaliya congratulated for the Congress.

Minister for Youth and Sports Dawa Tamang said the 19th ANFA Congress should set an example for the development of football in the country. He thanked ANFA for inviting him to the event. The opening session concluded following the minister’s speech.