ANFA Academy improving Nepalese football

By: Dinesh Thapa
football_nepal@yahoo.com

Nepalese football is struggling to match the progress of Nepalese cricket in the international level. But in recent years, new breed of Nepalese footballers have achieved some respect in international level. And whatever the quality of football in Nepal, cricket will need more than a decade to match the status of football in Nepal.

Nepal's draw with Bhutan in SAF Games certainly shows the quality of Nepalese football in international level. But Nepal's U14 team is the best in South Asia and it had won U14 football tournament in South Asia for past 2 years. 

ANFA established the ANFA Academy with the purpose of developing football from its root level. Another purpose of the Academy is to develop the skills of players from early age and to select and train the hidden young talents from all parts of the country. 

The first batch of academy players were selected five years ago. 40 players were selected from 10,000 under 12 players from various parts of the country. Out of 40 first batch players best 26 are selected and they are still under the academy. Some of the first batch players are Bikash Malla, Bijay Gurung, Pradeep Dongol, Lok Bandhu Gurung, Rojit KC, Gaurav Thapa. They are the backbone of Nepal U19 team and they now play for various top division teams in Nepal. 

ANFA selected 77 U12 players from various parts of the country in the second batch. Most of the second batch players now play for the Nepal U17 team. Likewise 78 players were selected for the third batch and 84 players for the fourth batch. Out of 84 fourth batch players, 25 players are training in Hetauda, 25 in Dharan and rest of them are in Kathmandu. 

All the expenses for lodging (hostel), food, and education and training costs are beard by the ANFA. ANFA has provided education in some of the top schools in the country for ANFA Academy players. Some of the best available coaches are always available for training. 

ANFA academy has increased professionalism 

Millions of Rupees investment of ANFA is beginning to show positive signs in Nepalese football. After the introduction of the academy, Nepalese football has taken a big leap in national and international level. Nepal's U14 team is the powerhouse and it is the team to beat in South Asia in U14 level. Nepal U14 team had won AFC U14 football tournament in Kathmandu in which SAARC and Central Asian countries U14 teams took part. This shows that Nepal is developing rapidly at the youth level. 

Likewise Nepal U19 team reached the final round of AFC U19 football tournament. They beat Bangladesh and Pakistan in the group stage to reach the final round. This is the first time that Nepal U19 team has reached the final round of the AFC U19 Championship. This is one of the successes of the ANFA academy. 

Nepal U17 team also performed well in AFC U17 qualifier but missed out just by a goal difference. But their performances will be remembered and especially of Gyanendra Ale. The most significant part was that Most of the players in U17 & U19 are of ANFA academy and all the players in U14 were from ANFA academy. 

Football in Nepal is turning to be professional after the ANFA academy players are ready for the trade. Most of the first batch players of ANFA academy now play for top division clubs in Nepal. Some of them get Rs. 100,000 for a season and that is a good sign. 

I hope that ANFA will reach out more places in the country to search the hidden young talents and hope that ANFA academy will produce more quality players to raise the standard of Nepalese football and to push the football in Nepal towards the professionalism.