Bhutan and Maldives have raised serious questions in their participation of 12th South Asian 7-A-Side championship.

Bhutan Football Federation and Maldives FA confirmed GoalNepal that there were no organizations called Bhutan 7-A-Side federation and Maldives 7-A-Side federation. They also confirmed that there were no national teams of (7-A-Side) in their respective countries.

Nepal vs Bhutan match pic. Local Indian players are included in team Bhutan.

“We are very shocked to learn the news that Bhutan is taking part in the championship (there) in Nepal. We hereby confirm that there is no team called Bhutan 7-A-Side national team. We would like to raise our serious concern”, Bhutan FA official Sonam Jattu told GoalNepal.com.

Likewise, Maldives FA general secretary Jawaz said, “We don’t have any affiliation. We neither have any 7 A side association nor 7 a side national team. Football Association of Maldives has no connection with the so called team."

Nepal defeated Bhutan 4-0 while Bangladesh defeated Bhutan 16-0 in the opening matches on Saturday.

Nepal 7-a-side federation is registered at National sports council. But NSC wasn’t informed about the championship. The organizers haven’t taken no objection letter from Nepal sports ministry, which is mandatory while organizing international tournaments.

Western region sports development committee president Khagaraj Paudel expressed his shock after learning that the visiting participating teams are fake.

“The organizers haven’t taken any clearance from National sports council to host the event”, said Paudel.

When contacted Ram Thapaliya, spokesperson at Sports Ministry, he said that Ministry was unaware about the “international” championship being held in Pokhara.

“We aren’t informed about this. You should ask National sports council and ANFA regarding this issue. National sports council is responsible to investigate this matter. According to 26-point directives, National sports should take control about this. If needed, Sports ministry is ready to intervene”, said Thapaliya.

ANFA is not responsible for this as they don’t govern 7-A-Side football.


Fake players in blue jersey. 

Secretary of Nepal 7-A-Side football federation D.B Nepali, who is also a government employee, passed the phone to president Nabin Pun when we contacted him.

Pun said he was unaware about the “authentication” of the teams participating in the championship.

“This tournament is organized by South Asian 7-A-Side federation. We have managed this event here in Pokhara. We are told that the teams participating are real. I can’t say anything if the players aren’t from the respective countries”, said Pun.

According to the source, Indian local players are included in teams like Bhutan, Maldives and other teams.


Fake Maldives national team

“We are shocked to see the picture of Maldives national team. Not a single player is from Maldives. Nepal sports ministry should investigate this matter”, Maldivian official told GoalNepal.

This clearly reflects how Nepal sports ministry and national sports council work here in Nepal. There is no coordination among the bodies and anybody can play foul game, giving gimmick to all sports fans.