Kathmandu: All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) on Sunday issued a misleading statement regarding cancellation of Nepal vs Hong Kong international friendly scheduled for March 26, claiming that the National Sports Council (NSC) did not grant permission to use the Dasharath Stadium facilities.

However, just hours after ANFA’s statement, the NSC produced an official document addressed to ANFA confirming that approval had been granted to use Dasharath Stadium for the friendly match.

In a letter dated March 17 addressed to ANFA, NSC stated: “As per the decision made at the Member Secretary level on March 19, Dasharath Stadium will be made available on the condition that the following rental fees are deposited: sound system at Rs 15,000 per day, floodlights at Rs 25,000 per day, and scoreboard at Rs 5,000 per day, totaling Rs 45,000.”

The letter also included details of the Rastriya Banijya Bank account and instructed ANFA to submit the original bank voucher upon payment. Copies of the letter were sent to the Member Secretary’s Secretariat, the Administration Department, and the Financial Administration Division of the NSC.

In a separate letter dated March 19, the NSC outlined additional conditions, clarifying that all responsibilities and liabilities related to the match would rest with ANFA.

Issuing a separate statement, the NSC refuted the reports based on ANFA statement which claimed that the friendly match against Hong Kong had been postponed due to a lack of approval.

“It is hereby informed to all sports enthusiasts, athletes, and concerned stakeholders that approval for conducting the said competition had already been granted through the Council’s (Association Coordination Division) letter dated March 19, and permission for the use of the stadium, floodlights, scoreboard, and other infrastructure had also been provided through the Council’s (General Administration Division) letter dated March 17,” reads the statement signed by Khushraj Dahal,  information officer at the NSC.