Low-key Martyr’s Memorial League kicks off

The 2014   domestic football   season   kicked   off   with the   Martyr’s   Memorial      A Division League championship in Kathmandu earlier   than   I expected.

Essentially   the  league features Kathmandu Valley based clubs, including departmental sides Nepal Police, Nepal Army and Armed Police Force. Technically speaking Martyr’s Memorial  is the Kathmandu League, not the National League.

It is very obvious that the   non Kathmandu based clubs have been   shunned   and denied equal opportunity   to participate. The biggest   irony   is   that a large contingent of   players recruited by the clubs comes from different parts of the country.

There is no question that All Nepal Football Association (ANFA)   has shown little   urgency, or even desire to provide non Kathmandu Valley clubs mainstream exposure and status. The answer is very simple: either they just do not care, or they are   incapable of doing their job.

If I am   not wrong, there have    been   no   serious efforts to apply pressure on ANFA   to include teams from outside the Valley in the Kathmandu League   on part of District Football Associations (DFA).

As a consequence, the clubs   are left without a choice   and compelled to compete in lowly rated   tournaments in their respective regions, yielding nothing. They are frustrated, demoralized, discouraged and feel   let down   by ANFA and DFA. The real truth is that no one really cares.

The fact of the matter   is   that ANFA has failed to set up   a national league for a long period of time. Can you believe it?  Yes, it is unfortunately true.  Their incompetence and   incapability    is staggering.  This is just one example of their failure.

The   Martyr’s Memorial League    has   come a long way   since it started 60 years ago. Let me remind you   that Ganesh   Thapa led ANFA, had   stalled   the league   for three years from 2007 to 2009.

The league   has  undergone   frequent changes, over the years, however, the basic structure, remains more or less the same.

There have been changes this season as well.  ANFA has increased the prize money, provided financial assistance to participating clubs, including   revenue generated from gate collection. In addition, instead of   eight, either   five or six teams (depending on points) will compete in the next round (super league). 

The league has   proved   to   be a   futile   exercise year after year and lacks professionalism, competiveness and quality. By and large, the competition has been   far from successful, drawing    below average attendance.

Facilities   and   infrastructure   remain   abysmally   inadequate and pathetic. Dasarath Rangasala continues to be the sole venue for the competition despite poor field conditions

It is ludicrous that ANFA has the money for the   Astro Turf   but not for a medium scale stadium, the most pressing need at the moment. The   poor state of the domestic football   is having a detrimental effect on the national team.

If you think   Nepali football is headed in   the right direction, then I reckon you are living in a fool’s paradise.

Players and   clubs are   at the mercy of ANFA. They   have no option but compete regardless of the situation. Most clubs are  in dire strait,  financially and on the verge of collapse.

The country’s oldest club New Road Club (NRT) pulled its shutters down for an indefinite period on financial ground. Rani Pokhari Club (RCT) barely made it to the league this season  largely because of last minute  sponsorship deal.

Do not be taken aback if   more clubs follow suit over time. Thirteen teams are in the fray for the 2013/14 Martyr’s Memorial title.  The schedule is tight with two matches a day, putting extra toll on players and teams.

Three Star Club and Manang Marsyangdhi Club are clear   front runners   for the title. The big question is whether Nepal Police and   Nepal Army can turn the tables back in their favor. Perhaps there are bigger surprises in store for football goers. We will have to wait and see.