KATHMANDU, MARCH 13

The All Nepal Football Association Vice-president Birat Jung Shahi said he felt utterly humiliated after being returned from the Tribhuvan International Airport.

"Everything was all set until last night and I was scheduled to fly to Ruwanda with ANFA President Pankaj Nembang and General Secretary Kiran Rai today. But I was forced to return from the boarding counter after I was told that my travel was cancelled," said Shahi. "ANFA President Nembang had asked me to provide the details to the secretariat and my travel was confirmed. I was even included in the team to play a friendly match during the FIFA Congress," he said.

Shahi said he was surprised to know about the cancellation. "I don't know the exact reason of the decision but I feel that it is the outcome of the last board meeting after I stood against the atrocities of the ANFA and President Nembang," said the former international footballer. "I just spoke for the betterment of football, players, referees, coaches, clubs and districts. And today I got the prize for spending my whole life in football," he added.

Acting General Secretary Badri Bhattarai said Khumaltar Youth Club President Maniraj Thapa flew to Ruwanda with President Nembang and General Secretary Rai. "I am not aware of the details of the case as I joined the ANFA just two days ago. But I knew the three officials who were going to Kigali to attend the FIFA Congress," he said.

ANFA spokesperson Suresh Shah said he was not in position to clarify on the case. "The ANFA has not received any complaint regarding the case and I cannot give clear answer as President Nembang and General Secretary Rai are out of the country," he said.

A version of this article appears in the print on March 14, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.