Though the stadium is already booked with the approval of NSC, which owns it, NSC Vice-president Pitambar Timilsina and member Samim Miya Ansari demanded a bribe, NSCEA President Narayandev Rana said at a press conference here, furnishing evidence. [break]
NSCEA President Rana produced a recorded telephone conversation between NSC member Ansari and himself during which Ansari sought Rs 700,000 for the stadium, 300,000 less than sought by Timilsina, who, according to NSCEA, had time and again threatened to obstruct the concert otherwise.
NSCEA has booked the stadium and taken responsibility of the management from organizers JPR Events.
"We would like to assure all music lovers that the event will be held as scheduled," Rana said adding,
"The NSC has already provided us (NSCEA) Rs 500,000 -- the lease amount for a day."
Ansari admitted seeking Rs 700,000 from NSCEA, but denied asked for a bribe. "I sought Rs 700,000 for NSC, not for myself personally, after discussions with the member secretary and vice president. I hear that they wanted the stadium for two more days but had not paid for that," Ansari said.
Timilsina, denied involvement in the row and challenged NSCEA to prove otherwise. "I will resign if anyone proves my involvement," Timilsina said adding that all the allegations were the work of sports mafia. "I am in regular conversation with organizers. I will organize a press conference tomorrow with the concert organizers."
NSC Member-Secretary Hari Babu Chaudhary said he had approved leasing the stadium for a day, adding he was totally unaware of the bribes.
Meanwhile, five different sports associations have asked NSC not to provide the stadium. They said holding the concert will deteriorate the quality of the track and newly-grown grass as Nepal gears up for the AFC Challenge Cup.
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