Nepal Police captures National League

Let me start by congratulating Nepal Police  Club  for  their  success  in winning the  1st  A Division National League football championship that recently concluded  in  Butwal.

Nepal Police Club (NPC) fully deserves the title for the way they performed throughout the competition. They got off to a strong start in the first   phase held in Pokhara, and they maintained the momentum   all the way to the end to emerge champions.

Without a doubt they were the best and the most consistent   team   in the league.  Interestingly, they were the only side   to   finish undefeated, an achievement in itself.

Having   captured   both   A   Division National   League   and the Martyr’s A Division League titles, the cops have reasserted themselves as the country’s best team. This is not   the first time they have dominated domestic football.

The matter of fact is   that   they   have   been the most dominant   football club,    over the past few   decades. They are known for   their rich football tradition, which dates back to the Nar Shamsher Rana era. NPC, formally   well-known as   Mahendra Police Club has been one of the pillars of Nepali football. 

There was  a time when the names  Achyut  Kharel,  Rupak  Sharma, Rupal  Shamsher, Suresh Panthi,  Ashok KC, Lok B Shahi  ,Man B Malla, Babu Ram Pun, Dhirendra  Pradhan, Hair Khadka,  Ramesh Bhudathok ,  Rakesh Shrestha  and many more and Mahendra  Police Club  were synonymous with success.

In addition, they were outstanding players who   represented the national team with distinction and honor.  The key to NPC success can be attributed to deeply rooted sports tradition within the organization, coupled with a strong organization management structure and good training facilities.

Kudos to coach Birat Krishna Shrestha   for his inspiring   and motivational role all along. By contrast, the other departmental outfit   Nepal Army Club under veteran coach Yugamber Suwal was far from their best   and   underperformed. They finished    an unimpressive fifth position.

Former international and Coach Raju Shakaya sure is rattled, especially to   watch his team (New Road Team) play awful football to finish   a low 8^th.

Title contenders Three    Star   Club (TSC) and Manang Marsyangdhi Club (MMC)   were a huge disappointment. They   had to pay   a heavy   price for their mediocrity.

MMC did bounce back in Butwal; however, they stumbled   at   critical   junctures   when they were in with great   chance to   challenge   the cops for the title. The star- studded outfit should have done much better than the third place.

On the other hand, TSC had a   very   poor tournament, and it would be appropriate to say that   their performance hit rock bottom.

Coach   Upendra Man Singh could not be more than happy to see his team (Himalayan Sherpa Club) finish second.  The former international bid adieu to the team   to take over none other than his    home side Madhyapur Youth Association who were promoted to Martyr’s A Division league recently.

The other big surprise package was Jawalakhel Youth Club.  They faltered somewhat in the second stage; nonetheless, they did well to finish a respectable fourth.

Another Kathmandu outfit Rani Pokhari Corner Team performed erratically, but did well to avoid the bottom three positions.  

Rank outsiders Sangam Club, Pokhara and Mitra Milan, Dharan made little impact to finish ninth and tenth respectively. Despite the setback, it was an important competition for them in terms of experience and exposure.

Both teams packed with local talents   carried plenty of fire in their bellies, and they returned   home enthused and positive. Mark my words, next season   they will be back   stronger and determined.

In   recruiting   foreign players (mostly African), the clubs have shown its desire to play a bigger role in the development of football. It is hoped that they step up their efforts further to develop the club culture that is amiss. 

Withstanding hazardous playing conditions, flawed league format and poor management the players   slugged it out. Apparently, the organizer made a mockery of the competition that did not serve its intended purpose.

The only point of contention is   the National League was organized for the first time outside the Kathmandu Valley.  There could have   been much better   planning   and organization to make the event meaningful and successful   , however, All Nepal Football Association turned a blind eye. This is something very unfortunate, and they have ridiculed themselves.