FIFA Connect Workshop held for district representatives

A FIFA Connect Workshop for the member districts of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) was held at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato on Saturday.

The workshop was facilitated by FIFA's South Asia Regional Office Lead Prince Rufus and FIFA Consultant Mazahar Ahmed Mansoor, with participation from representatives of various district football associations.

ANFA President Pankaj Bikram Nembang inaugurated the event, calling the adoption of the FIFA Connect Programme a significant milestone for Nepali football. He emphasized that the initiative would help align the country’s football governance with international standards and foster a more organized and accountable structure for football development.

Speaking at the event, ANFA General Secretary Kiran Rai highlighted the importance of the programme in tracking player progress and maintaining a centralized, standardized database. He noted that FIFA Connect would enhance transparency, efficiency, and governance in football administration. Rai also expressed his gratitude to FIFA and thanked Rufus and Mansoor for sharing their insights with the district representatives.

In their remarks, FIFA officials Rufus and Mansoor commended ANFA for embracing the initiative and stressed that such workshops are crucial for systematizing football development. They expressed optimism that the FIFA Connect Programme would contribute to Nepal’s long-term football goals, including the dream of World Cup qualification, by nurturing a talented pool of players across all levels.

Ramhari Dhakal, General Secretary of Chitwan District Football Association, shared his thoughts on the ongoing digital transformation in Nepali football: 'FIFA Connect is a great step toward digitalizing Nepali football. It’s encouraging to see districts getting involved and learning from the best in the business. This move is not just about improving efficiency, but about taking Nepali football to the next level by embracing modern technology.'"

Mahottarai District Football Association representative Nirajan Karki said the online platform eliminates the need for paperwork, photo pasting, and physical forms, making the registration process completely hassle-free. The transition to digital has simplified what used to be a cumbersome task, offering a much more efficient and accessible way to register players.