KATHMANDU: The Martyrs Memorial A Division League Football Tournament was officially inaugurated here at the Dasharath Stadium today. The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) had set an unique style of the opening — the match between the ANFA Academy U-14 Red and Yellow teams — and Constituent Assembly Chairman Subas Chandra Nembang inaugurated the League by handing over the ball to referee Sudish Pandey, who offitiated the match. The Chairman along with National Sports Council Vice President Pitambar Timilsina aand ANFA officials also congratulated the national women’s football team that won silver medal at the recently held 11th South Asian Games in Dhaka. The League will formally begin on February 20 with the match between defending champions Nepal Police Club and Boys Union club. The organisers, ANFA, postponed the matches as the event coincided with the National Sports Tournament organised by PLA Sports Club. The League, an annual programme of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), was stalled for three years because of the dispute between the football’s governing body and Nepal Football Association, which was dissolved following the agreement between the two parties. A total of 12 teams are taking part in the League. The winners will receive two million rupees, while the runners up will take home one million rupees. The teams rounding up from third to eighth place will also get Rs 500,000, Rs 300,000, Rs 200,000, Rs 100,000, Rs 60,000 and Rs 40,000 respectively. Nepal Police Club, Tribhuvan Army Club, Nabil Three Star Club, Manang Marshyangdi Club, Nepal Armed Police Force Club, Machhindra Club, NIB Friends Club, Sankata Kathmandu Mall Club, New Road Team, Ranipokhari Corner Team, Samsung Jawalakhel Youth Club and Boys Union Club are the participating teams in the double-leg League. Also, five best individuals — goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, striker and coach — will earn a motorcycle each, while the ANFA will reward a footballer with a car.

Just bouquets for women team?

KATHMANDU: The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), who have been generous in felicitating the national football teams for achieving success in international arena, took everyone to surprise by just felicitating the 11th SA Games silver medal winning women’s football team with a bouquet each. During the opening ceremony of the Martyrs Memorial San Miguel A Division League Football Tournament, the Constituent Assembly Chairman Subas Chandra Nembang congratulated the national women’s team members with a bouquet on behalf of the ANFA. Nepali women’s team achieved their biggest ever success by winning silver medal in Dhaka. The ANFA had rewarded Rs 50,000 each to the men’s football team members who won bronze medal at the 10th SA Games in Colombo in 2006. Even the sixth SAFF Championship team members received Rs 25,000 despite being knocked out from the group stage.