Authorities have it that sports and politics do not mix. But, it is politics that has had a field day in the sports arena. The past is an open window to the mismanagement of sports activities in the country particularly football. Considering the fact that soccer is the most cherished game in the country, the turf war between the two parallel associations had all the national level tournaments and league games disappearing from the sports calendar. It was shocking for the soccer fans to see the games not seeing the light of the day for so long just because the two soccer bodies did not see eye to eye.

Now, the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) and Nepal Football Association (NFA) have belatedly agreed to sort out the issues that saw them at loggerheads for almost two years. It is good news that, despite all the delay and angry exchange of words, the deal has been struck with the seven-point agreement between the two. That the Nepal Sports Council (NSC) too has a role to play is welcome. This promises a flurry of activities on the ground not only to the relief of the players as regards the development of their skills and professionalism but also to fill the void for the soccer lovers. Why it took so long is not difficult to guess. It was politics that set the ball rolling to create the countless roadblocks and hamper the healthy growth of the game.