“Suspend the responsible office bearers from the post to be effective until the investigation period of two months,” PAC Chairman Janardan Sharma directed Minister for Youth and Sports Purushottam Paudel.  The PAC today summoned the minister to inquire about the 17th Asian Games and Anfa’s recent activities. The committee has directed the government to make arrangement for carrying out financial activities from other office bearers.

Sharma informed that a clear instruction has been given to dismiss the three official looking after the financial affairs—President Ganesh Thapa, Chief Secretary Dhirendra Pradhan and Treasurer Birat Jung Shahi—and another officer overseeing the academy’s construction activities Lalit Krishna Shrestha. Shrestha is Vice-President and spokesperson of Anfa. Following the direction, the Anfa’s 17-member working committee has been down sized to 13 office bearers.

Earlier on September 28, the committee had already corresponded with the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), Ministry for Youth and Sports and Department of Money Laundering Investigation regarding its decision to ‘put on hold’ the authority of Anfa office-bearers including Thapa, dragged in the alleged irregularities. However, the Ministry had not initiated any actions even after getting the letter.

Thapa, who has been continuously heading Anfa since 1995, has been accused of embezzling Rs.580 million obtained from various sources including Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), government budget and other sources of Anfa. Thapa is a nominated lawmaker from RPP-N and a vice-president of AFC.

“The ministry cannot hinder the investigation against Thapa in any case. Their termination from their post must be done within three days,” committee member Ram Hari Khatiwoda said. “The termination of the post will be effective until the case is settled” he added.