Though a career in football is now more promising than in the past with increased salaries and cash prizes for players, financial condition of domestic clubs and Nepal´s performance in the international arena continue to remain dismal.
New Road Team (NRT), one of the oldest top-tier football clubs of Nepal with a rich history spanning eight decades, on Saturday decided not to participate in any football activity for a year citing financial constraints.
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Some other established names of Nepali football, including Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) and Sankata Club, are also cash-strapped. RCT, one of the most successful clubs of Nepal, decided during a 10-day-long extraordinary general assembly held recently to play for yet another year and then decide whether to continue playing football.New Road Team (NRT), one of the oldest top-tier football clubs of Nepal with a rich history spanning eight decades, on Saturday decided not to participate in any football activity for a year citing financial constraints.
NRT and RCT are representative of Nepali football and also have better income sources compared to other clubs. Not only these clubs, but almost all the 10 A division clubs except the three departmental teams are deep in financial crisis.
Only five clubs have fixed assets but their income falls far short of their expenses. Other clubs depend largely on sponsorships and donations from members and fans. The sponsorship amount ranges from Rs 1-2 million. But if the clubs are to be believed, they spend Rs 7-8 million every year.
All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), the football governing body of the nation, is responsible for improving the status of football clubs. But ANFA and its president Ganesh Thapa, who has been at the helm of ANFA for nearly two decades, have not been able to bring about any significant improvement in the status of domestic clubs.
Thapa and his committee should acknowledge that A division clubs are the backbone of domestic football. Until and unless the clubs turn stronger, the national team will remain weak. In recent days, ANFA has started announcing attractive prizes ahead of international tournaments but prizes alone can not ensure success at the international level.
Binay Shrestha, the general secretary of NRT, informing about the decision of the club´s extraordinary general assembly on Saturday not to play football for a year, had said ANFA should focus on strengthening clubs rather than coming up with populist programs.
Accusing the ANFA leadership of lack of vision, Shrestha had challenged ANFA to come up with programs to strengthen domestic clubs.
ANFA and its president Thapa could also be held responsible for the downfall of NRT. The club had borrowed Rs 10 million in 2064 BS to strengthen its team and had hired high-profile players with the highest paychecks then. ANFA could not run football for three years due to disputes but NRT was forced to pay about Rs 6 million in salaries to nearly two dozen players for 18 months for nothing. It now owes Rs 14 million in loans.
Not only ANFA, but the clubs themselves have failed to adapt themselves to changing times. They have failed to explore new areas of income. To minimize the risks, ANFA should also set up financial guidelines for clubs. The clubs should also look for new areas to fund their activities.
All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), the football governing body of the nation, is responsible for improving the status of football clubs. But ANFA and its president Ganesh Thapa, who has been at the helm of ANFA for nearly two decades, have not been able to bring about any significant improvement in the status of domestic clubs.
Thapa and his committee should acknowledge that A division clubs are the backbone of domestic football. Until and unless the clubs turn stronger, the national team will remain weak. In recent days, ANFA has started announcing attractive prizes ahead of international tournaments but prizes alone can not ensure success at the international level.
Binay Shrestha, the general secretary of NRT, informing about the decision of the club´s extraordinary general assembly on Saturday not to play football for a year, had said ANFA should focus on strengthening clubs rather than coming up with populist programs.
Accusing the ANFA leadership of lack of vision, Shrestha had challenged ANFA to come up with programs to strengthen domestic clubs.
ANFA and its president Thapa could also be held responsible for the downfall of NRT. The club had borrowed Rs 10 million in 2064 BS to strengthen its team and had hired high-profile players with the highest paychecks then. ANFA could not run football for three years due to disputes but NRT was forced to pay about Rs 6 million in salaries to nearly two dozen players for 18 months for nothing. It now owes Rs 14 million in loans.
Not only ANFA, but the clubs themselves have failed to adapt themselves to changing times. They have failed to explore new areas of income. To minimize the risks, ANFA should also set up financial guidelines for clubs. The clubs should also look for new areas to fund their activities.
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