LALITPUR, MARCH 3
Defending champions Kathmandu RayZRs retained marquee player Bikesh Kuthu and head coach Balgopal Maharjan for the second edition of the Khukri Nepal Super League.
RayZRs unveiled Tribhuvan Army Football Club goalkeeper Kuthu and Maharjan amidst a ceremony and Director Bigyan Raj Sharma signed contracts with them today. The club did not reveal the signing amounts of the duo but Sharma said "all the parties agreed on terms and the marquee player and head coach would receive handsome amounts."
The announcement came at a time when the A Division Clubs were protesting the signings of players from their teams. Eight A Division Clubs have already submitted two memorandums to All Nepal Football Association to stop their players from signing with the NSL teams.
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RayZRs Director Sharma, who is also the A Division League Coordinator, said the players were not allowed to sign for two clubs at the same time. "It's a wrong practice and the ANFA needed to find an amicable way to solve the problem," said Sharma. Asked about his marquee player Kuthu's release letter from the TAFC, Sharma said the RayZRs would start the process soon.
"We signed him before acquiring release letter from his club as the NSL has asked us to speed up the preparation. We will start the process now and hope to get the release letter. If the club does not release him, Kuthu will not play for the RayZRs in NSL," he added.
Kuthu was also not sure about the process and said his club would not stop players.
"TAFC are always positive towards players and I believe they will not stop me from playing in the NSL," he said.
Kuthu said he was focused on team combination and unity among the players to defend the title.
"I am committed to give my best and keep the trophy with us," he added. Head coach Maharjan thanked the club management for believing him for the second edition of the tournament. "Team work was the key in our success last year and we hope to get support from everyone in this edition as well," he said.
Team owner Vijay Agrawal said the RayZRs believed in healthy competition and hoped to defend the title. "We are not here to challenge rules and regulations and we are committed to follow them strictly," said Agrawal, Managing Director of MAW Enterprise.
"The corporate houses have formed teams and spent a lot for players and staff and I believe this is the first step towards prosperity. Our enthusiasm is almost the same as first edition, if not more and we hope to win the championship again with the help and support from all stakeholders," he added.
Meanwhile, Biratnagar City FC signed Bishnu Gurung as head coach and Ranjit Dhimal as marquee player. Biratnagar also retained Ulrich Siewe under foreign player quota.
"Gurung is the perfect fit to carry the vision of the club forward, while Dhimal is an inspiration to the ardent followers of the beautiful game across the country," Biratnagar said in a release. "Siewe has been extremely professional on and off the pitch. He would also bring his perfect blend of enthusiasm and experience to take the club forward."
Also, last edition's finalists Team Dhangadhi FC retained marquee player Bishal Rai, head coach Yugal Kishor Rai and goalkeeping coach Min Basnet. "We have already started our preparation for the tournament and through NSL we are seeking to create a favourable environment for the overall development of football in Sudurpashchim Province," said Subash Shahi, Chairperson of GoDreamers Pvt Ltd, owner of Team Dhangadhi FC.
A version of this article appears in the print on March 4, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
