In 2021 the franchise football, Nepal Super League kicked off for the first time. The league’s first edition, which was held amid the coronavirus outbreak from March 2021 to May last week, concluded successfully. Kathmandu Razors was the champion of the first edition among the seven franchise teams.
The second edition of NSL was held from November 24, 2023, to December 30 in Kathmandu.
Martyr’s ‘A’ Division League is the most popular league in Nepal. But as the Martyr’s ‘A’ Division League was not happening regularly, NSL earned the hype shortly.
Players had earned well from the franchise team. NSL was able to create a different buzz in the Nepali football scene.
NSL used to have cheerleaders who followed some international practices by installing digital running boards and food courts.
For footballers as well it was one of the most anticipated sports events.
Currently, people are curious about the third edition of the Nepal Super League. The All Nepal Football Association calendar has scheduled the third edition of NSL in September-November. However, the scheduled time for the NSL falls amid the biggest festivals such as Dashain and Tihar.
So amid the uncertainty of whether the third edition of NSL will be held, a small hope has been aroused. Nepal Sports and Event Management, the organizer of NSL and representative of ANFA had an official meeting on September 10.
Both the parties discussed postponing the NSL.
“For the first time we discussed the schedule of NSL,” says the Spokesperson of ANFA Suresh Shah. Other remaining things will be discussed after deciding the date of NSL.”
ANFA has not been able to organize its leagues. Similarly, the ANFA Women’s League has just started. In October, ANFA is organizing the SAFF Women’s Championship in Kathmandu.
The Martyr’s Memorial ‘B’ Division League has yet to take place, and the status of the new edition of the Martyr’s Memorial ‘A’ Division League remains uncertain. However, ANFA is planning to hold a meeting with the clubs in the ‘B’ Division to finalize the date.
According to the Shah, discussions have been going on to organise NSL after winter.
“ANFA has its programmes. In the November window the national team has matches,” says Shah.
In the September window, Nepal did not play any friendly matches and in October SAFF Women’s Football Championship is happening. In the November FIFA window, ANFA is planning to host a three nations football competition due to which discussions have been made to organise NSL after February.
However, ANFA still hasn’t provided complete information about NSL. They are yet to discuss the player’s auction and the modality of the competition.
Seven teams participated in the first edition of NSL. In the second edition, there were 9 teams.
