The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) needs to make a long-term commitment if it truly wants to see Nepali football rise on the international stage — and that starts with the permanent appointment of coaching staff for age-bar teams.
Time and again, we’ve seen ANFA appoint Nepali coaches on a temporary basis — often just weeks before age-group tournaments kick off. Teams are selected barely a month in advance, with players undergoing only one or two months of training before heading off to compete in prestigious regional or continental competitions. This short-term approach is doing no justice to the development of our players, nor the overall progress of Nepali football.
Football development is a long-term process. Young players need time, consistency, and a solid structure to grow — something that can only come from a permanent coaching setup. A stable coaching environment helps develop team chemistry, instills discipline, and provides a clear footballing philosophy — all essential elements for producing competitive national teams.
It’s high time the FA hired dedicated coaches — Nepali or foreign — on a long-term basis for each age-category team. Rotating coaches based on internal politics or to satisfy vote banks will only derail the foundation of our youth development.
There’s no question about the capability of Nepali coaches. Many of them have shown their potential and dedication despite being given limited time and resources. However, they also need to be bold and speak up when something is fundamentally wrong within the system. Silence in the face of mismanagement only prolongs the problem.
If ANFA is serious about results and about building a strong footballing future for the country, then its programs must be long-term. From U12, U-15 to U-23, each national team should have a dedicated, permanent coaching staff who work year-round — scouting talent, developing playing styles, and preparing players not just for one tournament, but for the future of Nepali football.
The time for stopgap solutions is over. ANFA must prioritize structure, consistency, and professionalism — starting with its coaching appointments.
