The long-serving Anfa boss was one of the 18 CA members nominated by the Cabinet on Friday. At the helm of the football governing body of Nepal since 1995, he is the younger brother of Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal Chairman Kamal Thapa. Thapa’s nomination comes amidst ongoing PAC (Public Account Committee of Parliament) and CIAA (Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority) investigation on his alleged embezzlement of funds during his almost two decades long Anfa reign. Only on Thursday, he appeared before PAC to clarify his position on the allegation filed by fellow Anfa vice-presidents Karma Tshering Sherpa and Bijay Narayan Manandhar among others.

Former national football team star Thapa, who has been adamant not to join politics, said that “time and space will change anybody’s mind”.  Thapa, however, stressed that it has nothing to do with the ongoing turmoil surround him and the Anfa. “Until now I have devoted all my life to football and the nomination (as CA member) is a new chapter in my life,” said Thapa adding that his presence in the CA will benefit not just football but the Nepali sports as a whole.

“My party has trusted me and recognised my contribution towards the sports,” said Thapa. “I am ready to take any responsibility apart from sports.” Thapa said that he will carry on assuming the Anfa post but will hand over more responsibility to other executive members now that he has to manage time in parliament as well. Asked whether he would quit the Anfa post, Thapa said: “Of course not. Football is my first choice and me being in the CA will hardly hamper Anfa activities.”

His nomination as CA member, however, did not go well with Sherpa, the Himalayan Sherpa Club President who is at the loggerheads with the Anfa boss. “He has long been expressing distaste over politics but the change of hearts only suggests his (Thapa) anxiety over the recent turn of events,” said Sherpa. “His willingness to join politics shows he wants to take political shelter. But I strongly believe that he will not be spared for his wrong deeds.”