The most awaited football spectacle in the country, Nepal Super League got underway with the opener between cross city rivals Lalitpur City FC and Kathmandu Rayzrs FC in Kathmandu.
They split points by playing an exciting 2-2 draw. It may be recalled that Kathmandu Rayzrs and Lalitpur City FC were winners of the 1st and 2nd editions respectively. Coincidentally,both teams had defeated the same opponent Dhangadhi FC for the title. Nepal Super League(NSL),the first and only franchise based tournament in the country in its third season has grown in stature and is increasingly gaining popularity.
The first two editions were a rousing success in terms of management, popularity, quality of play,marketing strategies,sports aficionados support, positive feedback,planning and smooth execution. The third edition should be no exception and is bound to evoke intense emotions and excitement.Fans should gear up for the competition and look forward to a roller coaster ride.
The tourney has been able to generate unprecedented excitement, interest and enthusiasm in football fans who had packed the stadium for every game in the last two editions. Seven teams participated in the inaugural edition,while the second featured 9 with two new teams, Sporting Ilam De Mechi FC and Birgunj United FC. However, this season the number of participating teams is back to 7 after the teams from Ilam and Birgunj opted out of the competition. The seven teams in the fray for the coveted trophy are Kathmandu Rayzrs, Lalitpur City FC,Pokhara Thunders FC, Butwal Lumbini FC,Jhapa FC,Dhangadhi FC, FC Chitwan.
Matches will be held in five administrative provinces (Bagmati,Gandaku,Lumbini, Sudurpashchim and Kosi) across the cities of Kathmandu,Lalitpur,Bharatpur, Pokhara, Butwal, Dhangadhi and Jhapa Thirty seven foreign players from eighteen countries around the world have been recruited by clubs for this year’s edition. Spearheading the pack are Uzbekistan and Senegal,each with four players, followed by Nigeria with three, and England and Scotland with two players each. Likewise, of the seven teams, four teams have hired foreign coaches,while three have opted for local coaches. The start of NPL marked a new era in Nepal football, paving the way for the development of professional football, and renewing hopes of a better future for football in the country. Furthermore ,the tournament has become a source of inspiration and motivation for young budding players in the country who are looking forward to a career in football and representing the country internationally.
The competition is an ideal platform for emerging players to showcase their potential and impress national selectors who are on the lookout for new talents. The foreign players recruited by the clubs in both editions of the tournament might have lacked the desired quality but their presence did upend the standard of play to some degree. Nonetheless,local players have benefited from playing in the highly competitive tournament by gaining exposure, experience,improving skills and opportunity. Additionally, the competition serves as a stepping stone to bigger tournaments, motivating and encouraging players to pursue their dreams in the sport.
The tournament is organized by the Nepal Sports and Events Management with ANFA’s technical support In the context of Nepal football the importance of NSL has grown significantly over the years. Franchise clubs can make a huge impact by investing in infrastructure, training facilities, grassroots football and academies.
There is a need for more high-quality tournaments like NSL to revive the slumping standards of Nepal football. Additionally,there is a dire need to revitalize the sad state of football that is lacking in a robust development system, including grassroots programs and improved infrastructure. The national teams, which include different age groups, have been going through a lean phase lately in international tournaments. To make matters worse, the number of established players leaving the country seeking greener pastures, better future prospects and financial security abroad is on the rise. The absence of a conducive environment has hindered players' career development,limiting their well-being and professional growth.
Unquestionably,Nepal football needs more than just tournaments for the overall development. Its progress has stagnated over the years due to ANFA’s poor governance,lack of vision, mismanagement, and failure to develop necessary infrastructure and grassroots football.
By Sushil Thapa, Fairfax, VA, USA
