Football’s return

Return of league football is a partial victory for Nepali players and fans alike.

Ending a staggering hiatus of 947 days without a professional domestic league, the football finally rolled again at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato on Wednesday. The kickoff of the National League, featuring 17 teams, comes as a big relief to players, coaches and fans who have endured years of stagnation of the sport. The result of the failure to organise a league for three years has been nothing short of catastrophic. A pool of talented footballers, faced with no platform or income, was forced to move abroad, primarily to Australia, in search of livelihoods—often relinquishing their athletic dreams and a chance to play for their country. The start of this league is a consolation, yet the conditions under which players are being asked to compete are far from professional.