Nepal's Top Football League Stalled for Three Years Amidst ANFA's Management Crisis and Financial Woes

Kathmandu. The Martyrs Memorial 'A' Division League, the highest domestic competition in Nepali football, has failed to take place regularly for the last three years. The league's uncertainty is growing due to the weak management, financial crisis, internal disputes, and structural problems within the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA).

The absence of the 'A' Division League, considered the backbone of Nepali football, is affecting players, clubs, coaches, and all stakeholders connected to the sport.

The A Division League was last held in the year 2079 BS. Since then, although ANFA has announced the operation of the league several times, it has failed to implement it in practice. The league has been postponed repeatedly due to budget shortages, disagreements among clubs, or leadership disputes. The fact that the competition, considered the basis for the development and professionalism of Nepali football, has not been held for three consecutive years is a matter of serious concern.

Financial Crisis and Questions Over Management
A major reason why ANFA cannot organize the league is the financial crisis. ANFA officials themselves have publicly admitted that ANFA's income has decreased in recent years, and managing expenses has become challenging. The problem has become more complex due to a lack of sponsors, lower-than-expected revenue from television broadcasting rights, and the ineffective management of grants received from FIFA and AFC.

However, financial problems cannot be considered the sole reason. ANFA had allocated 10 crore rupees for the A Division League in its general assembly held in Dhulikhel on Baisakh 26 last year.

Most 'A' Division clubs are dissatisfied with the league not being held for such a long time. Clubs are facing problems such as being unable to provide regular matches for players, losing sponsors, and struggling to cover operational costs.

The date for the league was previously set for Poush 1. However, ANFA failed to conduct the league at the scheduled time. Sports ministries, the National Sports Council (NSC), and other sports bodies had also pressured ANFA to organize the league.

Furthermore, issues regarding the non-timely disbursement of funds spent on previous competitions, player allowances, and grants to clubs have repeatedly surfaced. This has weakened the trust between ANFA and the clubs.

Club Dissatisfaction

Most 'A' Division clubs are dissatisfied with the league not being held for a long time. Clubs are facing problems such as being unable to provide regular matches for players, losing sponsors, and struggling to cover operational costs. Some clubs have publicly criticized ANFA and warned of taking legal action if the league is not held on time.

Bishwas Bikram Shah, President of Friends Club, stated that his club is ready to play the league whenever ANFA wants to organize it. He also said that ANFA should not evade responsibility by blaming the clubs.

"If ANFA wants to hold the league, my club (Friends Club) is ready to play," he said, "ANFA itself is not in a position to hold the league."

ANFA appears confused about the league issue. ANFA has not yet been able to publish a clear calendar. The repeated postponement of the league date suggests that ANFA itself is not interested in holding the league more than the clubs. The absence of the A Division League has led to increased player migration, weakening the base for the national team.

Direct Impact on Players' Careers

Bikram Lama, President of the ANFA Players Association, has been repeatedly urging ANFA to hold the A Division League. Not only him, but national team players like Rohit Chand, Bishal Shrestha, Anjan Bista, Bikesh Kuthu, and former player Biraj Maharjan also staged a sit-in protest at ANFA headquarters.

Not only a sit-in, but the players also protested by placing the international medals they had won at the gates of ANFA. Following that, Players Association President Lama complained that although ANFA shows interest in holding the league from time to time, it has failed to do so until now.

"ANFA pretends to be interested in holding the league, but the league doesn't happen," Lama said, "If the league is not held now, we are ready for any kind of agitation."

After that, ANFA became positive and started preparations to hold the league. Although there was talk of the league for a few days, and it seemed that the clubs and ANFA had agreed on the national league, that matter eventually faded away.

Players are suffering the most due to the non-holding of the league. The lack of regular competitive matches is affecting players' form, fitness, and morale. Many players are forced to move to foreign leagues, while some are reaching a point where they might quit football altogether.

National team players have also admitted that the absence of the domestic league is causing problems in their preparation. Currently, some Nepali national team players are busy with the ANFA National League, while many are contracted to foreign leagues.

Leadership Disputes and Structural Problems

Leadership disputes within ANFA are another major reason for the league's failure to materialize. In recent years, criticism has mounted that institutional efficiency has weakened due to disagreements within the executive committee, delays in decision-making, and power struggles. Some time ago, issues related to ANFA's general assembly, statute amendment, and elections also became controversial.

Three factions emerged within ANFA starting from the third month after Pankaj Bikram Nemwang took the leadership, comprising the current President Pankaj Bikram Nemwang's group, and factions aligned with former presidents Ganesh Thapa and Karma Tsering Sherpa.

Within a year of Nemwang taking the leadership, ANFA held a special general assembly in Hetauda on Kartik 23, 2080 BS. Although Pankaj Bikram Nemwang's group was weaker, Nemwang became stronger again as president with the support of the current Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Indra Man Tuladhar.

When Tuladhar was appointed CEO after the special general assembly, the Karma Tshering Sherpa faction within ANFA weakened. With the factions reduced from three to two, the Ganesh Thapa faction weakened, and the Nemwang group has been making unilateral decisions in Nepali football since that general assembly. Unilateral decisions have been made on matters ranging from changing the A Division League dates to taking action against ANFA members.

Latest Developments Regarding the League

Recently, ANFA has been claiming to be accelerating preparations to operate the A Division League. ANFA officials have stated that they are searching for sponsors, developing a calendar, and holding discussions with the clubs.

Just on Thursday, the ANFA leadership concluded discussions with the A Division League clubs. ANFA informed that it is preparing to hold the league within one month of the national league concluding. In the meeting held on Thursday, it was agreed that the league date would be finalized in the next meeting, but clubs and football supporters remain unconvinced that the league will happen this time, just like ANFA's previous decisions.