News

2025-12-05

APF Club dominates with 4-0 victory as SAFF Women's Club Championship begins

The inaugural Vatsalya SAFF Women's Club Championship commenced with a commanding performance from the hosts as Nepal's APF Football Club secured a decisive 4-0 victory over Bangladesh's Nasrin Sports Academy in the tournament's second match at Dasharath Stadium on Friday.

The match was officially inaugurated by Minister for Youth and Sports, Bablu Gupta, who handed over the match ball to the officials.

APF FC took control of the game, with Rashmi Kumari Ghising opening the scoring in the 38th minute. The hosts solidified their lead in the second half, with Mina Deuba finding the net in the 70th minute. Ghising struck again in the 80th minute to complete her brace, and Deuba sealed the emphatic win with a second goal in stoppage time (90+2 minutes).

The tournament, organized by the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), features the league-winning women’s clubs from five SAFF-affiliated nations: APF Football Club (Nepal), East Bengal FC (India), Nasrin Sports Academy (Bangladesh), Transport United Ladies FC (Bhutan), and Karachi City FC (Pakistan). The competition will follow a single round-robin format, with the top two teams advancing to the final scheduled for December 20.

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2025-12-01

ANFA Executive Committee holds emergency meeting, approves key infrastructure and competition decisions

The Emergency Meeting of the Executive Committee of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), chaired by President Pankaj Bikram Nembang, was held on 15 Mangsir 2082 at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato. The meeting endorsed several important decisions aimed at strengthening Nepal’s football infrastructure, competitions, and development programs.

Under the FIFA Forward Program, the committee decided to propose Edel Grass—among FIFA’s shortlisted companies—for the construction of new artificial turf grounds in Dhulikhel and Dhangadhi, as well as for replacing the existing artificial turf at the ANFA Complex.

The committee also agreed to submit a proposal under the AFC Equal Pitch Programme for the installation of a hybrid turf at the Dasharath Stadium.

Similarly, under the AFC Enhance Programme, the contract for constructing a players’ dressing room, toilets, office space, and an upper parapet in Sindhupalchok was awarded to Jagadamba Moktan JV at a cost of NPR 1,26,48,815.

The meeting decided to organize the National League from 25 Poush 2082 and open team registration for all clubs recognized under the ANFA Statute as well as interested A Division clubs. ANFA will conduct the A Division League within one month after the completion of the National League. Additionally, tenders will be called for the marketing, ticketing, broadcasting, and digital rights for one year of the National League and five years of the Martyr’s Memorial A Division League. A seven-day notice period will be issued for the National League tender and 15 days for the A Division League tender.

ANFA also approved a one-year extension—until October 21, 2026—of its kit and equipment supply contract with the current provider. From next year onward, the contract will be re-opened through a new tender process.

The meeting decided to sign an agreement with FIFA for broadcasting designated national and international football tournaments on the FIFA+ OTT platform. Furthermore, amendments to the FIFA R&I were endorsed to incorporate the Martyr’s Memorial A Division League.

Under the AFC Enhance Programme, the purchase of a shuttle bus and a luggage van was also approved.

The committee confirmed that the SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship will be hosted in Pokhara this coming Falgun. It also endorsed plans to introduce a Women’s Franchise League and to organize a National Women’s Knockout Tournament in Udayapur. Coordination will be carried out with Jhapa, Morang, Makwanpur, and Sunsari districts to finalize venues for the upcoming Martyr’s Memorial National Women’s League.

For the SAFF Men's and Women’s Futsal Championships, scheduled to be held in Thailand this January, the committee approved an estimated combined budget of NPR 1,45,12,690—allocating NPR 72,56,345 for each team.

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2025-12-01

Nepal Hosts Inaugural Vatsalya SAFF Women’s Club Championship from Friday

Preparations for the Vatsalya SAFF Women’s Club Championship have been completed as Nepal gears up to host the tournament at the Dasharath Stadium from December 2 to 20 (2082 Mangsir 19 to Poush 5) under the SAFF calendar and the organization of All Nepal Football Association (ANFA).

A press meet was organized at ANFA Complex in Satdobato to brief about the regional competition on Monday. ANFA General Secretary Kiran Rai, CEO Indraman Tuladhar, among others, attended the meet.

The competition will feature the league-winning women’s clubs from five SAFF-affiliated nations: APF Football Club (Nepal), East Bengal FC (India), Nasrin Sports Academy (Bangladesh), Transport United Ladies FC (Bhutan), and Karachi City FC (Pakistan). The tournament will follow a single round-robin format, with the top two teams advancing to the final.

ANFA has been moving ahead with preparations at full pace. All participating teams are scheduled to arrive in Nepal on December 3. Training sessions have been arranged at the Chyasal Stadium in Chyasal and the Nepal Army grounds in Bhadrakali.

The marketing, broadcasting, and digital rights for the tournament have been awarded to Sushree Media Pvt. Ltd. The main sponsor of the event is Vatsalya Natural IVF, and the competition has been officially named the Vatsalya SAFF Women’s Club Championship.

All matches will be broadcast live on Himalayan TV. In Nepal, fans can also watch the games live on the Routine of Nepal Banda YouTube page, while international viewers can follow the action via MSM Video OTT.

Ticket prices have been set at Rs 300 for the general parapet section and Rs 500 for the VIP parapet section. Tickets are available for purchase through the Khalti digital wallet.

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2025-11-24

FIFA MA Refereeing Course Concludes

The five-day FIFA MA Refereeing Course has successfully concluded at the ANFA Complex. The closing ceremony was presided over by ANFA CEO Indraman Tuladhar, who also distributed certificates to all participants.

Conducted from November 20 to 24, the course was led by FIFA Referee Development Officer Mohamad Rodzali Bin Yacob and FIFA Technical Instructor Etsuko Fukano, with seven Nepali instructors supporting the sessions.

Over the week, 26 participants — including six women referees — took part in classroom lessons, video analysis, on-field practical drills, and fitness assessments aimed at enhancing decision-making, positioning, and overall refereeing standards. The program also helped strengthen the capacity of local referee instructors, contributing to long-term development and professionalism in Nepal’s refereeing structure.

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