Nepal: Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) unanimously elected Suresh Raj Shakya as its president

KATHMANDU, April 20: McDowell´s Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) on Saturday unanimously elected a 15-member executive committee with Suresh Raj Shakya as its president. Shakya was the vice-president in the previous executive committee of the club.

Shakya will replace Bijay Narayan Manandhar, who led the club for the last 17 years. Manandhar, also the vice-president of All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), will be the honorary president of the club established 81 years ago. 

--> Rajesh Shrestha and Kumar Bhandari were elected vice-presidents while Raju Shahi retained the post of secretary. Rabin Maharjan and Sanjiv Kaji Tuladhar were elected co-secretary and treasurer respectively. Similarly, Yog Ratna Tuladhar, Changes Lal Shrestha, Raghubar Man Singh Pradhan, Narendra Bahadur Shrestha, Amulya Manandhar and Naresh Baidya were elected members of the committee.

According to secretary Raju Shahi, there is provision of nominating the chairman of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Ward No. 30 as an ex-officio member of the committee. The committee will get full shape after the club president nominates two members from the club.

RCT has won the domestic football league a record six times along with Manang Marshyangdi Club. However, RCT has time and again threatened to quit football citing financial problems. A special general assembly of the club held on March 31 had decided to play football for one more year and take necessary steps according to the situation, said Shahi. 

"The club is always suffering loss due to involvement in football. There was serious discussion in the club whether to play or quit football as the club was forced to face loss to remain in A division," said Shahi, "The special general assembly had decided to wait and see for a year and take necessary steps as per the situation. Now we will play football at least for one year." 

According to Shahi, the club has a debt of nearly five million rupees. "The club has to invest about seven million rupees annually but the income is much less. Thus we are facing a serious financial crunch," said Shahi.

According to Shahi, the club earns about 3.7 million from its house rent and gets 1 million from sponsor McDowell´s, so the club is left with no other option but to take loan. 

Shahi also revealed that the club will retain almost all its players of the previous season. "We are also planning to hire some new players, including foreigners, for the new season," said Shahi, who also hinted at forming a separate committee for managing football.