ANFA Publishes National League Football Schedule
The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) on Sunday published the match schedule of the National League football, set to begin from Poush 30, 2082.
ANFA, which has been facing criticism for being unable to organize Nepal’s top-tier league, the Shahid Smarak A Division League, is preparing to start the National League five days later than previously scheduled.
ANFA had earlier announced that the National League would be held from Poush 25, 2082. At that time, ANFA had stated that the A Division League would also be organized within one month immediately after the National League ended. However, there was uncertainty over whether the announced National League would take place on time.
As ANFA has provided preparation expenses to clubs and clubs have also begun signing players for the National League, hope has risen that the league will likely happen. If no major decision intervenes, the National League football will start in nine days, i.e., from Poush 30, 2082.
However, ANFA—having failed to hold the A Division League for the last two seasons—has also been accused this time of staging the National League without intending to hold the A Division League.
In Nepal’s division football, there is a provision for A, B, and C divisions, along with a C Division Qualifier. In addition to these, it is also stated that the ANFA President Cup and the National League will be held.
But there is still no clarity on when the top-division A Division League will take place.
In such a situation, if the National League is organized, at least players will get to play and can earn something financially, which is a positive aspect. However, even if the National League takes place in the current context, there are still many doubts about what its progress will be like.
In this article, we will provide information such as what kind of league the National League is, how it is played, and how many clubs participate.
Participating Clubs and Total Teams
A total of 17 clubs will compete in the National League. This includes 13 clubs from the A Division League and the best four clubs from the ANFA President League.
In the most recent A Division League, Church Boys United—who became champions—along with Machhindra Club, Nepal Police Club, Jawalakhel Youth Club, Satdobato Youth Club, and New Road Team (NRT) were in the top six.
Similarly, from the ANFA President League, the following clubs have been selected for the league after reaching the semifinals:
Laligurans Youth Club
Chitlang FC
Nav Janajagrati Club
Kakrebihar Sports Club
The A Division clubs added for the National League are:
Tribhuvan Army Club
Manang Marshyangdi Club
Sankata Club
Friends Club
APF Club
Planning Boys Club
Shree Bhagawati Club
Why the Number of Teams Increased This Time
Earlier, the provision was for 10 clubs to play in the National League. This included the top six clubs from the A Division League and four clubs that reached the semifinals of the ANFA President League.
But this time, the number of teams has increased. As the A Division League has not been held for the last two seasons, ANFA opened team registration for other A Division clubs as well. Among the 14 A Division clubs, all 13 except Himalayan Sherpa agreed to participate.
Initially, it was certain that the top six clubs from the most recent A Division League (2079–80) would play. Then, when ANFA opened registration, seven of the remaining eight clubs registered their teams. Himalayan Sherpa did not register. Among those seven, two clubs are Planning Boys United and Shree Bhagawati Club, which were promoted from the B Division League.
The top four from the President League are:
Laliguras Association
Kakrebihar Youth Club
Chitlang FC
Nav Janajagrati Club
League Duration and End Date
Although the National League is said to begin from Poush 30, 2082, there is no decision on how long it will run. ANFA has planned to organize the National League for at least three months, but the full schedule with the end date has not been mentioned.
Match Venues and Daily Matches
According to ANFA, National League matches will be played at three venues inside the Kathmandu Valley:
Dasharath Stadium, Tripureshwar
Chyasal Stadium, Chyasal
ANFA Complex Ground at ANFA Headquarters, Satdobato
Matches will be played at these three venues. In a single day, up to three matches will be held.
Previous National League Editions
The National League has been organized twice before, and in both editions, 10 clubs competed.
First edition: 2011–12 (2068)
Participants: 8 A Division clubs, plus 1 club each from Pokhara (Sangam Club) and Dharan (Mitra Milan Club)
Champion: Nepal Police Club
Second edition: 2014–2015 (2071)
Participants: Top 6 A Division clubs, plus 4 clubs from outside the Valley (Jhapa, Morang, Lumbini, and Far Western)
Champion: Three Star Club
This will be the third time the National League is being organized.
Prize Money and Match Payments
The National League winner will receive a cash prize of NPR 5,000,000 along with the trophy. The runner-up will receive NPR 2,500,000, and the third-place team will receive NPR 1,500,000. The fair play team will receive NPR 100,000.
In addition:
Best Player: NPR 100,000 and an award
Top Scorer: NPR 100,000 and an award
Best Goalkeeper: NPR 100,000 and an award
Match-based payments:
Player of the Match: NPR 5,000
Match winner: NPR 20,000
Losing team: NPR 10,000
If a match is drawn: both teams receive NPR 15,000 each
Player Registration Rules
For the National League, at least 23 players must be registered, and a maximum of 40 players can be registered, as stated in the regulations.
A team playing the National League must register a list of at least 23 players by Poush 22, 2082, including three goalkeepers as mandatory. Additional player registration will also be allowed during the league.
Final player registration must be completed after the seventh round and before the eighth round.
Foreign Players Requirement
Each team can register three foreign players for the National League. For foreign players, the following will be mandatory:
Valid visa
Passport
ITC (International Transfer Certificate)
Work permit
Nepali Players Abroad and National League Interest
There is strong curiosity about whether Nepali players living abroad will come for the National League. Nepali players based outside the country can come to play the National League, but technical challenges may exist for many players.
Midfielder Jagjit Shrestha, who has been playing football in Australia for the past decade, is coming to Nepal to play the National League. He has been signed by Satdobato Youth Club.
Other Nepali players also want to come to play in Nepal. However, due to various reasons such as visa processing, lack of time, and other factors, it appears some may not be able to come.
If the A Division League is organized, many Nepali players living abroad want to come to play in Nepal. But since the National League is not Nepal’s top-tier league, it may not be the preferred choice for many players.
Broadcasting, Marketing, and Ticketing Rights
For the National League, ANFA had called for tenders for broadcasting, marketing, and ticketing rights. These rights have been purchased by MSM Video Pvt. Ltd.
In a photo ANFA previously posted on social media including the clubs playing the National League, it was mentioned that the matches would be live on ANFA TV.
But now, as MSM has obtained marketing, broadcast, digital, and ticketing rights, the matches will be live on MSM’s OTT platform.
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