The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) is not only a football event organizer; it is also a service-providing institution. It provides various administrative, technical, and judicial services to thousands of stakeholders within Nepal’s football ecosystem. Such services must align with FIFA and AFC standards. A complete description of ANFA’s major services is presented below.
Ensuring the official identity of players is ANFA’s first service. This helps prevent “player theft” and maintains professionalism.
FIFA Connect System: ANFA currently provides digital player registration services through the FIFA Connect platform. Under this, each player is provided a unique “FIFA ID.”
Registration process:
A club must submit the player’s documents (citizenship/passport, contract letter, and photo) through the online portal.
The district or provincial football association carries out initial verification of those documents.
After final approval by the ANFA Secretariat, the player receives a “player pass.”
Age verification service: For age-group competitions, ANFA provides services to check MRI bone density tests (MRI Bone Test) and other documentary evidence through a medical board. This addresses serious problems such as “Age Fraud.”
Recognizing any institution as a football club and determining its level fall under this service.
New club affiliation: A group wishing to establish a new club can submit a registration application to ANFA based on a recommendation from the district football association. ANFA checks the club’s statute, executive committee, and basic infrastructure before granting affiliation.
Club licensing (Professional Licensing): This is a mandatory service for A Division clubs. ANFA assists and regulates clubs to meet AFC and FIFA standards.
Financial audit review: Certifying that clubs have sound financial health.
Administrative training: Providing administrative training to club managers and CEOs.
Academy operation permission: Providing necessary technical support for clubs to run their own youth academies.
To produce football human resources in Nepal, ANFA provides educational services.
Coach training (Coaching Courses):
ANFA conducts AFC “C,” “B,” and “A” license courses.
Confidential information and application system: ANFA publishes the course calendar on its official website, where interested individuals can apply based on minimum entry level eligibility.
Referee training (Referee Development):
“ANFA referee courses” are conducted for those who want to become referees.
Nomination for FIFA referees: ANFA provides the service of recommending Nepal’s best referees to the “FIFA Referee List” so they can officiate international matches.
Managing professional relationships between players and clubs is one of ANFA’s major responsibilities.
Domestic Transfer System (DTS): A service that manages “release letters” and “contract agreements” when a player moves from one Nepali club to another.
International transfers (ITMS): If a foreign player comes to Nepal to play, or a Nepali player goes abroad, ANFA coordinates the issuance of an “International Transfer Certificate” (ITC).
Dispute Resolution Chamber: If a player does not receive remuneration, or if a club breaks a contract against the rules, ANFA provides an internal “court-like” service for justice. Both parties can submit their evidence here.
This ensures services and facilities for players to represent the country.
Closed camps: Arrangements for food, accommodation, allowances, and advanced training for selected players.
Foreign treatment service: Insurance and expense management services to treat players who are seriously injured during national team training or matches, either in Nepal or abroad.
Player welfare fund: Management of a fund that provides financial support for retired players or former players in difficult circumstances.
ANFA prioritizes “human sensitivity” in its services.
Child safeguarding: To ensure the mental and physical safety of children in ANFA academies or club academies, ANFA has arranged a “Safeguarding Officer.” It provides a confidential reporting mechanism in case of abuse.
Integrity hotline: A secure and confidential reporting service is available to provide information related to match fixing or corruption.
Media accreditation: A service that issues press passes to journalists to cover football matches.
Statistics and archives: A service that provides researchers and students access to historical match reports, video archives, and statistics.
Right to Information: A unit that answers questions asked on matters of public interest in accordance with Nepal’s constitution.
ANFA conducts training related to football physiotherapy and sports medicine.
During regular matches, services are provided through a medicine management team for anti-doping awareness and testing.
Stakeholders may face the following problems when taking services. Solution pathways are provided below.
Problem: Player registration renewal not processing
Steps: Check previous season match data and scan the clearance letter.
Responsible unit/contact: Information Technology (IT) Department
Problem: Delay in remuneration payment
Steps: Submit an application within 30 days with a copy of the contract letter.
Responsible unit/contact: Player Status Committee
Problem: Competition held against permission
Steps: The competition organizer must submit a “project proposal” 60 days in advance.
Responsible unit/contact: League and Competition Department
Problem: Risk of license cancellation
Steps: Submit a “Correction Plan” addressing remaining points required to meet standards.
Responsible unit/contact: Club Licensing Unit
Problem: Fake trial or fraud
Steps: If any agent demands money, report directly. ANFA trials do not charge fees.
Responsible unit/contact: Integrity Officer / Security Department
To keep ANFA’s service delivery dignified, the following three pillars are important.
Financial transparency: The audit report of mobilization and expenditure of the FIFA Forward fund must be uploaded on the website every year.
Open tender (Procurement): For any physical construction or purchase of sports materials, issuing tenders through open competition reduces corruption.
Decentralization: To prevent people from having to travel to Kathmandu, district football associations have been strengthened to provide more services.
Students who want to study ANFA’s institutional structure and service delivery should:
Study the “ANFA Statute” closely.
Use “annual conference” minutes and financial reports as key sources of information.
Conduct direct field observation to study how “match-day operations” run.
ANFA is not only a place for the exercise of position and power; it is a service center that aligns Nepali football with international standards. To make the services mentioned in this article effective, ANFA should move forward in line with the spirit of a “citizens charter.” Awareness of rights and ANFA-provided facilities by all sides of football, from players to media, is the foundation of modern and developed football.
If any player, coach, or parent faces obstacles while receiving services, activating the provision to file a complaint with evidence to the General Secretary’s office is a current necessity.
The legal, financial, or medical information provided in this directory is for public interest and awareness only. These details do not function as professional advice in place of ANFA’s statute and official policies. In case of disputes, the latest version of the “ANFA regulations” will be considered official. For specialized treatment, consult the relevant sports physician, and for legal procedures, consult an advocate.
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