DoI prohibits footy head coach Gyotoku from entering Nepal

KATHMANDU: The Department of Immigration today said that the national football team's head coach Japanese national Koji Gyotoku would be prohibited from entering to Nepal till the end of 2018 as his legitimate stay in the country on tourist visa has expired.

Koji has been on the helm of the national team since 2016 without obtaining a work permit after arriving on the tourist visa in Nepal.

As per the immigration laws, any person arriving in Nepal on a tourist visa is eligible to stay here for 150 days.

According to the Immigration Department, Koji, who has been staying in Nepal on a tourist visa, does not have a work permit.

Department Director Janardan Gautam said, "Koji had already spent 150 days in Nepal on the tourist visa but has not acquired a work permit as demanded by the law. He has been prohibited from entering the country throughout this year."

Following the Department decision, the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has initiated a process to hire a new coach. ANFA Spokesperson Kiran Rai said, "The incumbent head coach now has immigration issues to enter the country and stay here."

The ANFA is busy in internal discussions following the restrictions by the Department on Koji to return to Nepal. We will find a solution to the issue within a couple of days. "

Koji's contract term is ending in coming November. He was given the responsibility to guide Nepal through to the SAFF Championship slated for September 04--15 in Bangladesh.

Bal Gopal Maharjan is the assistant coach for the Nepali football team.

Meanwhile, Koji along with the national team is in Indonesia to take part in the ongoing Asian Games.