The National League Football Tournament is currently underway. As someone said, it is silent. Initially, games were also played at the Chyasal ground. Later, after the ground was heavily criticized, games were stopped there. Now, sometimes games are played at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato and sometimes at the Dashrath Stadium. Sometimes, there are four games in a day. Some games start at 10 am. But there is no real discussion about this tournament. 

There are no spectators in any game. That is why the debate goes on, why don't spectators come to watch football these days? For some, this has become an excuse to criticize others. The main question is, why aren't there spectators in football these days? A match was recently played between Church Boys and Machhindra FC at the Dashrath Stadium. This was probably the highest level match that Nepalese domestic football can currently achieve. The spectators who came to watch this match could be counted on one hand. 

Why is this so? This question was asked to Machhindra coach Pravesh Katuwal. He gave a very accurate answer to it. He used to say, ‘There are so many scandals and controversies happening in Nepali football these days that the game on the field has not been able to attract the audience.’ What Katuwal said is right. The dirty politics that is happening in Nepali football these days has angered the general public who love football. 

It could be the establishment side doing dirty politics or it could be the opposition. Both sides have leveled accusations against each other. But has anyone said that Nepal’s domestic football structure should be like this? No. We should ask the officials and players of the clubs participating in the national league, most of them will answer that it is just a competition that costs crores. What is needed is the Martyrs’ Memorial League ‘A’ Division. If a league is needed for Nepali football, then it can only be the Martyrs’ Memorial League, it cannot be the national league. The statute of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) that mentioned that either the Martyrs’ Memorial League or the national league should be held has gone wrong. A league that does not have a relegation rule has already lost half its charm. If we look back at history, the use of a national league in domestic football has always failed.

More teams, fewer players

The number of teams participating in this time's competition is 17. Some of them were from the Martyrs' Memorial League, some came from the ANFA Presidents' League. If we look at the history of the domestic league, this is the second time that so many clubs have played in a particular league. Nepal's domestic football cannot handle so many participants. If a league is to be established in Nepal, the best number may be 10. The Martyrs' Memorial League 'A' with 10 teams has already been formed in Nepal. Most current and former football officials agree with this fact. But no one wants to implement it. With so many participants, they also needed players. There is currently a shortage of players to play at the highest level. If we look back at the same Machhindra coach, if we look at Katuwal, he says that there are no players. Without good players, there will be no good games. That is why the spectators have not come.

Perhaps that is why foreign players have shone more in this league. Based on the number of games that have been played in the league, it can be said that while there are foreigners who have performed at a high level, Nepali national team players have not been able to play as much as they have. Chitlang coach Prajwal Chhetri has also said that it is the foreign players who have worked harder, which is why their game has been seen above. Perhaps there is a good side to this national league. For various reasons, an old generation has disappeared from domestic football. Now, many new players have come to replace them in the competition. Moreover, these players are of the same age group. Of course, they lack experience and opportunities, but if you invest in them, you can get a return.

Hurry to finish the competition

This time, the national league started on December 30. Amid the situation where the ANFA elections are not held, there have been many ups and downs in the game schedule. Currently, the league has been stopped for more than a week due to the country's general elections. When the league starts again next week, ANFA's only objective is to complete the competition quickly. The participating clubs also want to reduce expenses, so it is better to finish the competition quickly. 

When the game starts after a week, each team will have to play as if they have missed a day. That will tire the players even more. The quality of the game will decrease further. Players will start getting injured. Even now, many players are injured and tired. NRT coach Jeevan Sinkeman has said that the team has not been able to train with its main players in one place. Sometimes someone gets injured, sometimes someone is absent. Therefore, the NRT team is good on paper, but the performance does not match it. Almost all coaches have considered their players to be lazy. But there is a disease in domestic football that will never be cured. Which has been there since before. They try to start the competition but end it as soon as possible. The complaint that good football cannot be played continuously after playing a lot is not current, but no one comes forward to discuss it. 

Following APF, others

While nothing is being said, at least the national league is going on. This is probably a positive aspect. How are the teams participating in the competition? Who is in the title race? Based on the 17 participating teams, there will be 136 matches. Out of which, 68 matches have been completed. Based on that, the competition has reached the middle. Based on the performance so far, APF, coached by Rajendra Tamang, is at the forefront. 

APF's 'A' division status is still undecided, but this team is playing well now. So far, the undefeated APF has 20 points. Based on the names of the players, the best is Machindra. But recently Machindra lost to Church Boys. But the team has played only seven matches and has 16 points. Three teams are on 18 points. These are the ones who will compete with APF. They are Pokhara's Laligurans, NRT and Planning Boys. Then there are Tribhuvan Army on 17 and Church Boys on 16 points. Church Boys have recently defeated not only Machhindra but also Army. So a lot can be expected from this team. Here, Laligurans should also be praised, as they have played undefeated so far. Apart from Laligurans, the performance of those who have played in the ANFA Presidents Cup is not worth mentioning.