Kathmandu: Apex sports body of the country National Sports Council (NSC) has instructed All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) to suspend all activities related to its Ordinary Congress and early election scheduled for March 27.

ANFA’s four-year tenure ends on June 18. However, the current leadership under president Pankaj Bikram Nembang has been preparing to hold the election nearly three months early, granting voting rights to district committees elected four years ago without conducting fresh district elections.

The election, initially slated for February 11, has already been postponed three times and rescheduled for March 27. ANFA has completed most preparations to hold the election in Jhapa, the home district of president Nembang.

In a letter issued to ANFA on Thursday, the NSC wrote: “…postpone all activities related to the proposed General Assembly and election of your association until approval is obtained from the NSC.”

The council noted that it had previously directed ANFA, in line with the National Sports Development Act and Rule 7(c) of the National Sports Development Regulations, to halt all election related activities. “However, it has again been brought to the NSC’s serious attention through various social media platforms that, in disregard and non-compliance with the said directive, an additional election schedule has been published,” the letter reads.

“…you are hereby instructed, pursuant to Section 29(1) of the National Sports Development Act, to immediately suspend all activities related to the General Assembly and election, and to submit a written clarification to the NSC within three days from the date of receipt of this letter.”

The NSC further stated that ANFA has repeatedly ignored its directives. It also made clear that, in the absence of its approval, any attempt to proceed with the General Assembly or election will not be recognised. The council warned that failure to comply with the directive could result in legal action.

Copies of the letter have also been sent to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, all provincial ministries, and the seven Provincial Sports Development Councils.