KATHMANDU: National football team defender Ananta Tamang has accused the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) of pushing Nepali football into a deep crisis, saying the country’s top-tier Martyrs Memorial A Division League has been stalled due to the governing body’s negligence.
Speaking about the prolonged suspension of the domestic league, Tamang said the absence of regular competition has left many players frustrated and forced some to leave the country.
“Whatever happens off the pitch, we players have always given 100 percent for the nation, and will continue to do so,” he said. “But without a league, many footballers’ careers have been thrown into darkness. Several players who started before or after me have already gone abroad.”
ANFA has not conducted the A Division League for three years, depriving players of training, income, and match experience. Tamang, who currently plays for a club in Bangladesh, said the lack of domestic football is eroding players’ morale.
“If I only thought about myself, that would be selfish. Football is a team game. But if players at home can’t play regular football, it’s unrealistic to expect strong results against big teams,” he said.
He also expressed disappointment that there has been no sign of the league’s resumption even after Nepal’s recent “home match” in Vietnam. “When I joined the ANFA Academy, I never imagined we’d face such a situation,” he said.
Calling on ANFA to fulfill its responsibility, Tamang urged clubs to take the lead if necessary. “The clubs should stop waiting for ANFA and start organizing the league themselves,” he said. “They must compel ANFA to act. If they remain silent any longer, they will exist only on paper, and it will become difficult to even find players in the future. For the sake of the game and the players, the league must be held.”
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