Footballers Protest Outside ANFA Complex, Demand Immediate Resumption of ‘A’ Division League

KATHMANDU, Nov 7 

Dozens of Nepali footballers gathered outside the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) Complex in Satdobato on Thursday, demanding the immediate restart of the Martyr’s Memorial ‘A’ Division League, which has been suspended for over two and a half years.

The players, who assembled around 11 a.m., were stopped at the main gate after the Nepal Football Players Association (NFPA) was denied permission to stage the protest inside the ANFA premises. Despite mediation attempts by ANFA spokesperson Suresh Shah, the situation remained tense as ANFA President Pankaj Bikram Nembang and General Secretary Kiran Rai were out of Kathmandu.

After waiting for more than an hour, the footballers began demonstrating outside the complex, chanting slogans and holding placards calling for the league’s resumption.

NFPA President Bikram Lama criticized ANFA’s indifference to the players’ concerns, warning that protests would continue if no action is taken.

“We want football activities to resume and the disorder in Nepali football to end,” Lama said. “If ANFA fails to present a plan for the A Division League within a week, we will escalate our movement.”

National team players, including Rohit Chand, Anjan Bista, and former captain Biraj Maharjan, joined the demonstration, expressing frustration over the prolonged suspension that has left many footballers without income or competition.

Meanwhile, ANFA has announced that it will not organize the A Division League this year, instead planning to introduce a new national league format. However, players argue that the ongoing delay has severely affected their livelihoods and the overall development of Nepali football.