KATHMANDU: A meeting of a group of footballers — current and former international/national along with A, B, C Division players — formed Nepal Professional Football Players’ Association (NPFPA) here today.

The NPFPA was formed following the formation of the All Nepal Football Players Association (ANFPA) few days earlier. The NPFPA claimed that the ANFPA was formed with vested interest and that most of the players were kept in dark while forming the association. The ANFPA has a voting right for the upcoming ANFA elections.

Meanwhile, the meeting of the disgruntled players decided to form a 17-member NPFPA under the presidency of former national team midfielder Kumar Thapa. The meeting also named coordinators for nine districts. Among the vice-presidents of the NPFPA executive committee are Sunil Tuladhar (Central Region), Sagar Bum (Far-Western) and Milan Shrestha (Eastern). Two more vice-presidents will be nominated in the two development regions — Western and Mid-Western — later on, the NPFPA said.

Arjun Lama, president of Bouddha Football Club, is the general secretary, Murari KC the secretary, Tulasa Singh the treasurer. Among the members are Kumar Rajbhandari, Raju Pulami, Krishna Malakar, Ganesh Limbu, Paresh Sapkota, Raju Shrestha, Rajendra Thapa, and Ranjita Rana.

Earlier, the NPFPA lashed out on the recent formation of the ANFPA. Kumar Thapa, former players Sunil Tuladhar, Arjun Lama and Narendra Man Singh raised serious questions on the role of the ANFPA, which they claimed was formed hurriedly for the interest of certain individuals. Former national team goalkeeper and skipper Upendra Man Singh heads the ANFPA.