Football
Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball to score a goal. Unqualified, the word ''football'' normally means the form of football that is the most popular where the word is used. Sports commonly c ...
is one of the major and the most popular sports of Nepal. It is governed by the
All Nepal Football Association
The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) (Nepali language, Nepali: अखिल नेपाल फुटबल संघ (एन्फा)) is the governing body of football in Nepal. It is responsible for the Nepal national football team, natio ...
(ANFA). The present acting president of ANFA is Karma Kshiring Sherpa. The current top domestic league is the
Martyr's Memorial A Division league. The
Nepal national football team represents Nepal in all international competitions.
The 36 district-level FAs, various corporations and local government bodies provide most of the assistance that comes ANFA's way, helping Nepalese football's governing body to organise nationwide tournaments all year round for senior clubs and different age groups, thereby maintaining football's position as the number one sport. ANFA recently introduced an annual football calendar, with tournaments for the first division clubs, as well as for the U-19, U-17 and U-14 youth teams. The number of football tournaments in Nepal has always surpassed the number of events for other sports.
For the 2003-2004 season, ANFA organised 24 tournaments across the country and prepared the national and youth teams that took part in the World Cup qualifying matches and the Asian Youth Championship. In this season's final tournament, 425 clubs, mostly amateur, participated in the Khukuri Cup at district, regional and senior level. Almost 8,000 players, half of whom were registered, played in the nationwide tournament in the space of two.
Nepal has been a major participant in South Asian competitions. However, Nepal in Asian football stage has been a much weaker and less successful national team, having never qualified for the
AFC Asian Cup
The AFC Asian Cup is the primary association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), determining the continental champion of Asia. It is the second oldest cont ...
and often fell short in the
FIFA World Cup qualification
The FIFA World Cup qualification is a competitive match that a national association football team takes in order to qualify for one of the available berths at the final tournament of the (men's) FIFA World Cup.
Qualifying tournaments are hel ...
.
History
The entry and initial start up of football in Nepal was during the Rana regime in 1921. The game was introduced in Nepal by young players who had learnt it from other countries. This game was watched by a huge audience and became very famous at that time. However, it is believed that the pioneer of this game in Nepal was Mr.
Narayan Narshingh Rana of Thamel and Chandrajung Thapa of Naxal.
There were some places, which were used as football ground for palace teams, such as Sujan Khanal and Mrigendra Shamsher Niwas
Babar Mahal
Babar Mahal, Baber Mahal is a Rana palace in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. The palace complex, located north of the Bagmati river, was incorporated in an impressive and vast array of courtyards, gardens and buildings. Initially the palace was ...
, Mahabir Niwas
Tangal Durbar
Sita Bhawan is a Rana palace in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. The palace complex, located East of the Narayanhity Palace, was incorporated in an impressive and vast array of courtyards, gardens and buildings. Sita Bhawan was built by Bhim S ...
, Nar Shumsher Niwas
Singha Durbar
Singha Durbar ( ne, सिंहदरवार, lit=Lion's Palace) is a palace in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. The palace complex lies in the centre of Kathmandu, to the north of the Babar Mahal and Thapathali Durbar and east of Bhadrak ...
, Rudra Shamsher Niwas
Bahadur Bhawan, and Thamel Narsingh camp,. Whereas in the decade of 30s, both local and palace teams commonly used the grounds of Singh Darbar, Chhauni, Gaucharan, Jawalakhel and Lainchaur for playing football. Despite political instability at that time football was played enthusiastically during 1921 to 1990 by various teams often without a goal post, but the criterion was that the opponent team could follow the ball to the goal line. Sometimes, they used to play football on the bet of 100/200-castrated goat.
The teams like Mahabir-11, N R T-11, Jawalakhel-11, Public Institute-11 etc. were established in 1934. The football tournament was organized for the first time in an institutional way in 1934, in which 12 teams participated. In that tournament, the team of Jawalakhel club led by Nar Shumsher had secured first position. At that time, the chief of Public team Mr. Najarman Singh told that his team had got support and encouragement from Trichandra campus and audience.
Although that tournament was a grand success, due to various reasons the government decreed to ban the game but yet it was played inside and outside the palace in secret way. The game was played very enthusiastically due to which the number of participants increased drastically and hence complaints about banning the game were sent to the palace. The advisor Mr.
Rishikesh Shaha
Rishikesh Shah (May 16, 1925 – November 13, 2002) was a Nepalese writer, politician and human rights activist.[Madan Shumsher JBR
Major General Madan Shumsher JBR was a Nepalese cricketer and son of 13th Prime Minister of Nepal Chandra Shumsher JBR.
He is considered the Father of Nepali Cricket as he introduced Cricket to Nepal for the first time in the 1920s and organized ...](_blank)
at first time in 1947 and members were Mr. Basant Shamsher and Mr. Mrigendra Shumsher.
In 1947, Tribhuvan Challenge Shield was introduced by late
King Tribhuvan
Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah ( ne, श्री ५ महाराजाधिराज त्रिभुवन वीर विक्रम शाह देव ) (30 June 1906 – 13 March 1955) was King of Nepal from 11 December 1911 until his ...
for the development of this football game which was organized at Tudikhel in front of Haribhavan. In that tournament Naresh-11 team led by Nar Shumsher secured first position and N. R. T. team secured second position. In the same year Maharaja Prime Minister
Padma Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana
Field Marshal His Highness Shree Shree Shree Maharaja Sir Padma Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana ( ne, पद्म शम्शेर जङ्गबहादुर राणा) (5 December 1882 – Calcutta, India, 11 April 1961) was the hered ...
introduced "Ramjanaki cup" which was continuously won thrice by Police Force team. The same cup was again introduced but was renamed as Marty's Memorial League football and hence League matches were introduced in Nepal.
In the year 1947, nationwide rebellion for Democracy started which led to a break in football for quite a time but after the success of the tournament the interest of public in football was again the same. Thus for establishing football in an organized way in Nepal, football association was established in the year 1951 The first Chairman of the association was General Nar Shumsher J. B. R. Similarly, the secretary Dr. Trailokya Nath Upreti and Janaki Prasad were elected as treasurer. This football association used to organize football in a regular way in front of Billiard Hall of Singh Durbar in ground making Parafeet.
In the year 1951, Tribhuvan Challenge Shield knock-out football tournament was organized in which the team of Jaleshwor-11 won the shield. Police force team secured 1st position and N. R. T. second in the Marty's Memorial League tournament organized in the same year. Balsakha Dal introduced a new shield called Devi Maya Memorial Shield in the year 1952 and in 1953 Sankata Boys Sports team won the shield. Other tournaments of football were played in Singh Durbar itself up to the year 1953 Although the construction of
Dasarath Stadium
Dasharath Rangasala ( ne, दशरथ रंगशाला; ) is a multi-purpose stadium in Tripureshwar, Kathmandu. It is named after Dasharath Chand, one of the four great martyrs of Nepal.
The stadium is used mostly for football matches ...
had started just before the coronation of
King Mahendra
Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev ( ne, श्री ५ महाराजाधिराज महेन्द्र वीर विक्रम शाह देव; 11 June 1920 – 31 January 1972) was the King of Nepal from 13 March 1955 until h ...
but a football match was played there, too, on the occasion of coronation of
King Mahendra
Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev ( ne, श्री ५ महाराजाधिराज महेन्द्र वीर विक्रम शाह देव; 11 June 1920 – 31 January 1972) was the King of Nepal from 13 March 1955 until h ...
.
After the construction of
Dasarath Stadium
Dasharath Rangasala ( ne, दशरथ रंगशाला; ) is a multi-purpose stadium in Tripureshwar, Kathmandu. It is named after Dasharath Chand, one of the four great martyrs of Nepal.
The stadium is used mostly for football matches ...
football matches were played there regularly since 1959. In the year 1959 a memorable event of a football match between the teams King-11 and Prime Minister-11 which was charity match held at
Dasarath Stadium
Dasharath Rangasala ( ne, दशरथ रंगशाला; ) is a multi-purpose stadium in Tripureshwar, Kathmandu. It is named after Dasharath Chand, one of the four great martyrs of Nepal.
The stadium is used mostly for football matches ...
. In that match Late
King Mahendra
Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev ( ne, श्री ५ महाराजाधिराज महेन्द्र वीर विक्रम शाह देव; 11 June 1920 – 31 January 1972) was the King of Nepal from 13 March 1955 until h ...
had played in the team King-11 and the then first elected Prime Minister
B. P. Koirala played for the Prime minister-11 team. Similarly from the year 1961, Mahendra Goldcup football tournament has been being organized in
Biratnagar
Biratnagar () is a metropolitan city in Nepal, which serves as the capital of Province No. 1. With a population of 242,548 as per the 2011 census, it is the largest city in the province and also the headquarters of Morang district. As per the p ...
.
After that, from the year 1968 Nar Trophy Football tournament was introduced on the name of the president of Nepal Football Association Mr. Mar Shumsher Rana with the view of respecting him who had contributed a lot in the development of football game. In order to respect the player who contributed to develop the standard of football the title of Best player was introduced in 1968 by football association and the Best Player was awarded with a gold medal. The title of Best Player and the gold medal were won by Baburam Pun whereas in 1978
Ganesh Thapa
Ganesh Thapa ( ne, गणेश थापा) is an ex president of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA). He was formerly the president of the South Asian Football Federation and the vice president of Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Fam ...
got the same. Similarly in the year 1981 and 1982 Rupak Raj Sharma and Suresh Panthi got the title and the medal respectively. Hence, total four players got the title of Best Player and the gold medal.
Due to various reasons, football game was not organized in a regular manner at that time and hence the Football association was re-established by National Games association in 1973 and Federation of Nepal football association was established. First of all, the Federation of Nepal Football Association had been continuing the League-cum Knockout Birthday Anniversary Football Tournament on the occasion of birthday of H. M. King since 1973 and other tournaments also in regular and organized way.
Although Nepal had been playing football with the teams of various neighboring countries and friendly countries but the necessity to invite countries for competitive matches in Nepal was realized only in 1979 and hence ANFA cup football match was introduced. In the first match of ANFA cup Kathmandu-11 team was the winner which was held in Chaitra. In order to encourage young players Federation of Nepal Football Association started ANFA President shield in the year 1981 in which Three Star club secured the first position.
The year 1982 was even more important for the development of football. In that year 23rd Asian youth football tournament (group 1) was organized for the first time in Nepal in which the teams of Nepal, India, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arab, Oman, Bahrain, Yemen A. R., Pakistan, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Yemen P. D. R. and Syria had participated. Hence, there were altogether 13 different participating countries.
With the view of promoting football throughout the country, A.N.F. Association started organizing football matches from 1982 in four development regions in next year. With the view of developing the standard of football it was realized that training about football game was needed and hence a training program was organized in 1982 from 17th Bhadra to 29th Bhadra named International Olympic Sole Directive football training. In this training 25 students were trained by the trainers of FIFA. In the year 2003, for the first time Women's football tournament was organized from 5th Bhadra to 11th Bhadra.
In 1970, Nepal became a member of
FIFA
FIFA (; stands for ''Fédération Internationale de Football Association'' ( French), meaning International Association Football Federation ) is the international governing body of association football, beach football and futsal. It was found ...
. And hence football in Nepal can be divided into three stages. The first stage was from 1977 to 1983 when football was first introduced to Nepal and was played for entertainment. The second stage was from 1947 to 1973, which was regarded as a revolutionary stage in the history of football in Nepal. And the third stage is regarded from the year 1973 till now when the sport has been improved, modernized, commercialized and even Nepali players have been able to occupy a place in International football standards.
Stadium
League system
First Division
*
Martyr's Memorial A-Division League
Martyr's Memorial A-Division League ( Nepali: शहीद स्मारक ए- डिभिजन लिग; formerly known as the Kathmandu League Championship) is the top divisions of football in Nepal. Contested by 12 to 16 clubs, it opera ...
Second Division
*
Martyr's Memorial B-Division League
Martyr's Memorial 'B' Division League ( Nepali: शहीद स्मारक बी डिभिजन लीग) is the second tier of the association football league of Nepal football league system after the Martyr's Memorial A-Division League ...
Third Division
*
Martyr's Memorial C-Division League
Martyr's Memorial C-Division League ( Nepali: शहीद स्मारक सि डिभिजन लीग) is the third tier association football league of Nepali football league system after the Martyr's Memorial A-Division League and the ...
Cup competitions
Major Cups
The following tournaments were sanctioned by the
All Nepal Football Association
The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) (Nepali language, Nepali: अखिल नेपाल फुटबल संघ (एन्फा)) is the governing body of football in Nepal. It is responsible for the Nepal national football team, natio ...
for 2019.
Other Cups
*
ANFA Cup
The ANFA Cup refers to a series of invitational association football knockout tournaments organised by the All Nepal Football Association. Both National football teams as well as football clubs participated in the past.
History
Although Nepal ha ...
(1980-2009)
*
San Miguel Itahari Gold Cup (2007)
*
Mahendra Gold Cup (1982-2004)
*
Khukuri Gold Cup (1998-2004)
*
Birendra Memorial Cup (2002)
*
Birthday Cup The Birthday Cup (also referred to as the Birendra Memorial Cup in the 2002 edition) was an association football competition organised to mark the birthday of King Birendra of Nepal in 1974. After the abolition of the Nepalese monarchy, the tourname ...
* (1982-2005)
*
Devi Maya Memorial Shield (1953)
*
Tribhuvan Challenge Shield
The Tribhuvan Challenge Shield is Nepal's second oldest association football tournament, founded in 1948 by King Tribhuvan.
History
In 1947 ( 2004 BS), Tribhuvan Challenge Shield was introduced by late H. M. King Tribhuvan for the development of ...
** (1948-1986)
*
National League Cup
The Championship Cup, (known as the Northern Rail Cup for sponsorship reasons), and previously known as the National League Cup, was a rugby league football competition for clubs in the United Kingdom's Rugby League Championships. Although the ...
(1985-1999)
*
Ram Janaki Football Tournament
:''*Founded in 1974 to commemorate the 29th birthday of
King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah.''
:''**Founded in 1948 by
King Tribhuvan
Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah ( ne, श्री ५ महाराजाधिराज त्रिभुवन वीर विक्रम शाह देव ) (30 June 1906 – 13 March 1955) was King of Nepal from 11 December 1911 until his ...
.''
See also
*
Nepal national football team
*
Nepal women's national football team
The Nepal women's national football team is controlled by the All Nepal Football Association and represents Nepal in women's international football competitions. The Women's Football Department is developed to control and manage the women's f ...
*
All Nepal Football Association
The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) (Nepali language, Nepali: अखिल नेपाल फुटबल संघ (एन्फा)) is the governing body of football in Nepal. It is responsible for the Nepal national football team, natio ...
References
Further reading
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Football In Nepal
Sport in Nepal