The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), with the support of funding from the FIFA Forward Development Programme, is launching a comprehensive and formal safeguarding plan to be implemented nationwide. Female participation in Nepal has seen a recent boost through the work of ANFA and engagement with FIFA programmes, with the national safeguarding plan a natural progression to ensure all participants can enjoy football in a safe and supportive environment. Traditions such as Chhaupadi and Deuki have not entirely been eliminated and women's empowerment remains a priority in Nepal. With these factors in mind, the safeguarding plan aims to address change not just in football, but in broader community attitudes. The first stage of the plan is training sessions for 49 female Safeguarding Officers, representing each of ANFA’s district football associations.

“This programme is a significant step toward promoting safe and inclusive environments in football by empowering female representatives at grassroots level,” said ANFA’s Safeguarding Officer, Kripa Sharma. “With our collective voice, the movement to create a safe footballing space is only getting stronger.” The training sessions are designed to equip participants with the knowledge and tools to ensure tournaments are prepared with child safety as paramount. Safeguarding Officers will be taught to assess risks and act on concerns, initiate awareness sessions with players, collaborate with local government, and engage empathetically and proactively as community leaders. Once qualified, the Safeguarding Officers will hold workshops in their district on recognising abuse, reporting mechanisms, rights of children and girls, and building community awareness. By integrating sports with safeguarding education, ANFA aims to transform traditional mindsets.

This project aligns with the social responsibility goals laid out in FIFA’s Strategic Objectives by ensuring safeguarding is implemented across football. FIFA is deeply committed to ensuring that all children and those who are vulnerable because of their football activities have the right to play in a safe and enjoyable environment, free from any risk of abusive or harmful behaviour. The sessions will be held in alignment with a new two-year nationwide U-14 schools football competition for both boys and girls, with funding from FIFA Forward’s second phase. The competition is designed to provide a structured pathway for young athletes and encourage widespread participation, aiming to revitalise youth football in Nepal. The competition starts at district level and is projected to engage over 6,500 girls from 335 schools and 12,000 boys from 600 schools. Winning district teams will advance to provincial level – where national youth team scouts will be present – before the top 16 teams will compete for the national title.