Grassroots Revolution: Tiptoe Sports Hub to Host Inaugural 3-on-3 Youth Tournament

Sachit Subba

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Crisis Averted: Nepali Football Escapes Global Ban After High-Stakes Backroom Deal

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Football

City Keep Title Race on a Knife-Edge

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Riyadh’s Heartbreak: A Title Delayed

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The Great Escape: Arsenal Survive VAR Drama to Grip the Title

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Football

Crisis Averted: Nepali Football Escapes Global Ban After High-Stakes Backroom Deal

KATHMANDU — In a dramatic breakthrough, Nepali football has avoided catastrophic international exile. The National Sports Council (NSC) has unconditionally lifted its three-month suspension of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA). The decisive resolution came on Friday after a high-stakes, closed-door summit. This meeting featured Education and Sports Minister Sasmit Pokharel, NSC Member Secretary Ram Charitra Mehta, and top ANFA brass, including General Secretary Kiran Rai. The crisis originally ignited on March 24 (Chaitra 11), when the NSC clamped down on the governing body, ANFA, slapping it with a 90-day ban. The state sports authority accused football executives of defying national legislation and attempting to orchestrate a forced, premature election. This aggressive government intervention immediately triggered alarm bells at FIFA headquarters. World football’s governing body fiercely guards its member associations against political interference and swiftly issued a stark ultimatum: reinstate ANFA unconditionally or face an immediate, indefinite ban from global football. ![](https://bootballer.com/storage/media/posts/X9EMitMiNP3oQsXhsSWLVN4h7y9QzdM9IIX5FNHe.jpg) For weeks, Nepali football teetered on the precipice of a devastating freeze. While the NSC initially pushed for an in-person summit with FIFA delegates to broker a compromise, Zurich stood firm, utilising heavy correspondence to demand compliance. Facing the terrifying prospect of local clubs and national teams being wiped from the international calendar, the government ultimately blinked, executing a total U-turn to lift the sanctions just in time. Beneath the official "unconditional" terminology, however, a fascinating narrative of backroom compromise is emerging. While ANFA insiders insist they secured a clean slate without conceding ground, high-ranking NSC officials whisper a different story. According to government sources, the suspension was dissolved only after ANFA executives verbally capitulated to a crucial demand: committing to a structured, tiered election process going forward. For now, the immediate threat of a FIFA hammer blow has been neutralised, but the underlying power struggle between Nepal's state regulators and its football custodians remains a volatile storyline to watch.

City Keep Title Race on a Knife-Edge

The Etihad Stadium felt tense on Wednesday night. For Crystal Palace, at least. Pep Guardiola made bold changes, resting Erling Haaland and making six adjustments with Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea in mind. It was a risk that could have given Arsenal the upper hand. But Manchester City remained focused and efficient. **The Pressure Cooker** City couldn’t afford to slip, or Arsenal would close in on their first title in 22 years. Instead, City responded with a 3-0 win, sending a firm message to North London. The gap is down to two. The hunt is still on. **Foden’s Magic Touch** Phil Foden hasn’t seen the pitch as much as he’d like lately, but he played like a man with a grudge. In the 32nd minute, he unlocked the Palace defence with a back-heel so filthy it belonged in an underground cage match. Antoine Semenyo didn’t miss, slotting it home to break the tension. But Foden wasn’t finished. Eight minutes later, he was the architect again, teeing up Omar Marmoush. The Egyptian turned on a dime and found the far corner. For the first time in his career, Foden walked into a halftime tunnel with two assists in the bag. He looked like the best player on the planet. The Palace looked like they wanted to be anywhere else. ![](https://bootballer.com/storage/media/posts/SLL0WNd7tLXST1RUQrJC6bm55JDCYn4pilSPLoUc.jpg) **Closing the Trap** The second half was controlled by City, who kept 72% of the ball and moved it with confidence. Josko Gvardiol, returning from a tibial fracture that kept him out since January, almost scored, but Dean Henderson managed to keep the score lower. In the 84th minute, Rayan Cherki set up Savinho, who finished from close range. Game over. Title race alive. **The Long Road to May 24** Oliver Glasner admitted Palace were outclassed. “Today City were much better than we were,” he said. Attention turns to Monday. If Arsenal beat Burnley, City must respond on Tuesday at Bournemouth. It’s a mental battle—and City are steady.

Riyadh’s Heartbreak: A Title Delayed

The heat in Riyadh usually fades by night, but inside the stadium, the tension remained. Al Nassr fans could almost touch it. After six long years, the Saudi Pro League trophy was within reach. Then the 98th minute arrived. Mohamed Simakan had done his part, nodding home a corner in the 37th minute to fire up the home crowd. They could have been well ahead by halftime, but Kingsley Coman hit the post instead of scoring. Even Cristiano Ronaldo, known for shining in big moments, saw his second-half shot go just wide. Still, the 1-0 lead felt secure. bleeding out, Al Hilal launched a desperate, towering throw-in into the mixer. It was a "hope and a prayer" ball. Bento, the Brazilian international who had been a wall for Al Nassr all season, rose to claim it. He had the title in his gloves. But the ball slipped. Simakan pounced during the frantic scramble; a sickening bounce, and suddenly the back of the net was bulging. ![](https://bootballer.com/storage/media/posts/gcKa6YLBwVf8Y95sh2PLeYw5QVDw1gRniOxbOH3u.jpg) **Own goal. 1-1. The crowd fell silent.** It was a nightmare ending that delayed the celebration. Al Nassr leads with 83 points and a five-point margin, but Al Hilal still has a game in hand. Momentum has shifted: If Al Hilal slips against Neom this Saturday, celebration follows. If not, Al Nassr must go to Damac on May 21 for another chance. Bento sat on the field after the final whistle, looking down. He didn't just lose the ball; he let down the city's hopes. The trophy is still close, but no one celebrates anymore.

Cricket

CAN Approves $500K for Women’s Cricket and Reveals NPR 473M Revenue from NPL Season 2

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) Central Working Committee met on April 6, 2026. The committee approved a $500,000 USD (approximately NPR 66 million) investment in women's cricket, aligning with ICC gender-balance directives. It also decided to seek a lease extension for the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur and to pursue a formal transfer of the Lower Mulpani Cricket Ground from the National Sports Council. These actions aim to strengthen cricket infrastructure and improve financial transparency. The meeting recognised the commercial success of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), whose second edition generated revenue of NPR 473.6 million. After NPR 219.6 million in expenses, NPR 161.8 million was distributed to eight franchise teams. The board approved the tournament’s financial statements. CAN scheduled its next Annual General Meeting for May 10–11, 2026, in Biratnagar, and set a mid-June deadline for 20 district committees to complete pending elections to ensure effective governance.

Lumbini Pulls Off Super Over Heist: APF Giants Toppled in Birgunj Thriller

LUMBINI, NEPAL – Near the Maya Devi Temple, birthplace of the Buddha and a symbol of peace, Lumbini Province secured a hard-fought Super Over win against the powerful APF Club. The PM Cup match started as a low-scoring contest before turning into a tense thriller, ending in a tie-breaker with Lumbini just one run short. Santosh Yadav stood out, dismantling the APF lineup at key moments. **The Super Over Showdown** Both teams scored 124, heightening tension. Lumbini batted first in the tie-breaker, scoring 14 despite losing opener Akash Tripathi for zero. Yadav added 8 runs quickly. Defending 15 runs, Yadav then bowled. He dismissed captain Rohit Paudel for one and then limited Lokesh Bam and Sundeep Jora to a combined five runs. APF closed with 6 runs for 1 wicket. ![](https://bootballer.com/storage/media/posts/ZqfBIT3gBKyBYeZA4WOu25ByEoHx3JgwDScHn3ZE.jpg) **The Collapse and the Comeback** Despite several national players, APF struggled and were all out for 124 in under 40 overs. Abhishek Gautam, batting in the lower order, top-scored with 28. For Lumbini, Ajay Chauhan took 4 wickets for 14 runs. Lumbini’s chase looked easy with Captain Dev Khanal (45) and Akash Tripathi (32) at the crease. Then, they lost their last nine wickets for only 50 runs and struggled to finish. **Shifting the Table** This win moves Lumbini to fifth with five points. APF, usually strong, drops to sixth. Lumbini showed determination and resilience, overcoming tough challenges to win.

Lamichhane’s Seven-Wicket Blitz Crushes Karnali in PM Cup

JANAKPUR: On Wednesday, Sandeep Lamichhane took control of the match with a thrilling display, seizing seven wickets and powering Bagmati Province to a stunning 60-run victory over Karnali Province. Building on his initial impact, Lamichhane’s bowling electrified the PM Cup Men’s National Cricket Tournament, restricting Karnali to 120 runs in 25.1 overs as they desperately chased 181. His outstanding 7 for 40 now stands as the tournament’s fourth-best performance, sparking cheers from the crowd. **The Collapse** However, after a spirited start to their chase, Karnali couldn’t handle Lamichhane’s bowling. Nischal Rawal was the only one to put up a fight, scoring 31, while Dinesh Adhikari added 22 and Bipin Shahi made 15. The rest of the middle order fell quickly to the spin attack. As the innings progressed, Lamichhane wasted no time, striking early and maintaining relentless pressure, dismantling most of Karnali’s batting order. Though Rijan Dhakal, Pratish GC, and Subas Khatri took one wicket each, Lamichhane's sensational spell stole the spotlight. Claiming seven wickets, he joins a legendary group of PM Cup performers. ![](https://bootballer.com/storage/media/posts/UXg4zswHX2br4bcFc84U0LusPls2TAQkmwJ7rg0R.jpg) **Bagmati’s Gritty Total** Earlier in the day, Bagmati had a tough start after being sent in to bat. They lost wickets regularly, but Bibek Magar held the innings together with an important 56. Ishan Pandey added 27, and Pawan Thapa scored 22, helping the team reach 180 before being bowled out in the 39th over. Despite Karnali’s captain, Diwan Pun, bowling well, his good work was undone by his team’s batting collapse. In contrast, Bagmati’s bowlers were sharp and took control of the match.

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Grassroots Revolution: Tiptoe Sports Hub to Host Inaugural 3-on-3 Youth Tournament

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