ANFA Plans New International-Standard Football Stadium in Nepal
The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has planned to build a new international level football stadium in Nepal.Â
This project aims to support the development of Nepali football by providing state-of-the-art infrastructure that meets global standards.
The stadium is expected to have a capacity of 25,000 – 40,000 seats which will revolutionize the standards of sports facilities in the country.Â
Project Funding and Planning
ANFA has already allocated a significant amount of funding for this ambitious project. As part of its long-term development strategy, the association has set aside USD 2.2 million (This is about 26/27 million Nepali amount) to prepare the construction of the new stadium.
The stadium will be built with modern architecture, designed to meet the standards required for international matches.
In addition to this, ANFA has formed a special three-member committee to oversee the project. Led by ANFA Vice President Deepak Khatiwada, the committee will work closely with government bodies to ensure the smooth acquisition of land for the stadium.
ANFA has already submitted a request to the government to secure the necessary land, with the possibility that the stadium may be built outside of Kathmandu due to space constraints in the capital​
Why Nepal Needs a New International Football Stadium
Currently, Nepal depends on Dashrath Stadium, the largest in the country, along with the ANFA Complex and Chyasal Ground.
However, these existing facilities no longer meet international requirements, which became evident when Nepal failed to host World Cup qualifiers due to lack of appropriate infrastructure.
The Dasharath Stadium has also been criticized for its poor condition, especially when the muddy ground disrupted the AFC Challenge League, where the matches between Church Boys United and Paro FC.Â
Which started the discussion about the urgent need for a better stadium.
This new stadium will not only enhance the beauty of the game, but also provide a suitable place for Nepalese players. Building proper infrastructure enables us to organize high profile events; It will attract the attention of everyone in the country and motivate young children to play football.Â
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Challenges of Developing Football Infrastructure
While building a world-class stadium is exciting, it’s important to remember that infrastructure alone won’t revolutionize Nepalese football.Â
The association will need to focus on broader issues to fully realize its potential. Regular national leagues and increased player support must complement this new infrastructure to retain local talent. Without consistent leagues and competitions, Nepal risks player attrition, with athletes leaving for better opportunities abroad​.
One of the criticisms levied at ANFA has been the imbalance between the salaries of its officials and the relatively modest pay that national players receive.Â
Despite being the backbone of the sport, national players earn about 30,000 NPR per month, while ANFA officials earn much more. This financial disparity has been cited as one of the reasons Nepali players seek opportunities outside the country​.
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The Path Forward for Nepali Football
Despite these challenges, the construction of a new stadium is a necessary move for the growth of Nepali football.Â
A modern facility will not only provide a better environment for local players but also open up opportunities to host international matches and tournaments. But here’s the question: Will it be enough on its own?
ANFA’s leadership must ensure that this project is coupled with efforts to improve player welfare, organize regular domestic leagues like the A Division and Nepal Super League (NSL) and provide competitive salaries to players.Â
Only then can Nepali football truly rise to the next level​.Â
What do you think? Can this new stadium be the turning point for Nepali football?
