Kathmandu, Aug. 19 -- On Wednesday morning, 19 children were having lunch-the humble dal-bhat-tarkari-in the dining hall of the hostel operated by the All Nepal Football Association in Satdobato, Lalitpur.

"We used to provide them with meat daily," said Hira Pant, ANFA's hostel in-charge. "Now, these children have to go to their school and sleep after eating only rice and lentils, not even vegetables."

For the young academy players, the ANFA Complex in Lalitpur was supposed to be a place of refuge and recovery. The 19 children were relocated here two months ago, carrying the trauma of a tragedy that shook Nepali sports.

Until September 28, 2024, they had been living at the football academy in Sisneri, Makawanpur. That fateful day, six ...