Players Protest at ANFA Headquarters: Demand Regular League Operation

Football players have started protesting after an agreement was reached between the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) and 'A' Division clubs to only organize a National League this year instead of the 'A' Division League. Today, Thursday, the players staged a sit-in outside the ANFA headquarters in Satdobato, called by the Nepal Football Players' Association.

The players even "gifted" the medals they won in various competitions to ANFA, hanging them on the ANFA gate. They argue that the lack of a regular league is jeopardizing players' careers and is detrimental to Nepali football as a whole.

Previously, on Monday, an agreement was reached between the ANFA Secretariat and representatives of 14 clubs to organize the 'A' Division League on a home-and-away basis starting only next year.

For the current year, the agreement was to hold a National League featuring a total of 10 teams: the top six teams from the 'A' Division League held three years ago, and the four teams that reach the semi-finals of the ANFA President's League, which starts today in Hetauda.

This National League will feature last season's champion Church Boys along with Machhindra Football Club, Nepal Police Club, Satdobato Youth Club, Jawalakhel Youth Club, and New Road Team. However, due to this agreement, the remaining eight 'A' Division clubs will not have representation in the National League.

photos : Nepal Photo Library