News Summary
AI-generated and editorially reviewed.
- Nine teams will compete in the ANFA Women’s League, with APF, Tribhuvan Army, and Nepal Police as the main title contenders.
- Sankata Club is preparing to challenge the departmental teams with the inclusion of foreign players.
March 17, Kathmandu – APF has already established itself as a strong force in women’s football.
In domestic women’s football, very few teams have managed to challenge APF.
However, starting tomorrow at the Chyasal Stadium, several teams are poised to break APF’s dominance in the ANFA Women’s League.
Departmental teams including Tribhuvan Army Club and Nepal Police Club, along with Sankata Club, are preparing to challenge APF.
A total of nine teams, including the three departmental clubs, will compete in the league.
APF, Nepal Police Club, and Tribhuvan Army are the primary contenders for the title, while Sankata Club is expected to challenge these three departmental teams for the trophy.
Initially, ten teams were expected to participate, but Rapti FC will no longer take part.
The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) had first released a schedule with ten teams, but after objections from clubs, it was decided to exclude Rapti. Rapti was initially included after Waling Municipality, which had qualified for the national league, chose not to participate.
Insights from Coaches and Captains of Participating Clubs
Nepal Police Club
Rabin Shrestha, Assistant Coach:
The team’s overall preparation is good as we are a departmental team with training throughout the year. There is strong enthusiasm to compete for the title; there’s no alternative.
New clubs are becoming more competitive as well.
The league will see competition among three departmental teams. Last season, while APF was winning consecutively, Nepal Police was the team that broke their streak and has also won the league previously.
This season, we have added four players: Sabina Chaudhary, Birshna Chaudhary, Sushma Tamang, and Mina Deuba. The team looks strong.
Tribhuvan Army
Raju Tamang, Head Coach:
We have completed excellent preparation and the players are fully fit. This time, we are focused on competing for the title.
The challenge will be on the field. Although APF has been dominant, they have not completely dominated whenever we faced them.
We have a strong mentality and are determined not to repeat past mistakes.
This time, our preparation is particularly focused on scoring. In the past, we struggled to score, such as in the game against Udaypur.
Amisa Karki will join during the season.
There has been no official word regarding foreign players yet.
We are also focusing on goalkeeping. We had played Lila Joshi in Udaypur, but due to national league regulations requiring selected players to play in the national league, Lila has now moved to Church Boys. We have Kapila and Kavita who are performing well and are hopeful they will seize their chances. The competition will be tough.
Sunita Chaudhary (Captain): The team is good and we are playing to win.
APF Club
Jivesh Pandey, Head Coach:
We are physically and mentally ready for the league starting tomorrow. Among the players, one or two are injured, but the rest are fit.
We always hope for a well-contested league. The opposition teams will also be strong.
Previously, we had three foreign players; this time, there is an agreement to increase the number to four, and we are prepared for that.
Our current focus is solely on the league; we will consider upcoming tournaments afterwards.
Anita Basnet (Captain):
We are mentally and physically prepared for the league.
All players are ready. This will not be an easy season; all teams are strong. Sankata has many foreign players this time.
We are excited for the league. New players are coming in who will strengthen both their clubs and the national team.
Sankata Club
Ravindra Shilakar, Head Coach:
We have come with the aim of making Sankata a strong contender this season.
We have some foreign players alongside national players from the age group categories. We are one of the contenders.
The foreign players include a forward from Myanmar, one from Mozambique, and two from Ghana.
The Myanmar player is also the captain of their team. Others are national team players and age-category players from Ghana.
We have made special preparations to challenge the departmental teams. Our morale increased after playing in Udaypur.
We will compete strongly with the departments. We have been training intensively for a month.
We are not afraid of any team other than the departmental ones.
Three players from the Sankata Academy will also be participating.
Church Boys United
Head Coach: Bikram Maharjan
The players have been training regularly outside and will arrive today.
It is expected to be a very challenging league. Our goal is to train players well and place them in appropriate positions.
Although departmental teams benefit from year-round training, we will compete strongly. Players have committed to hard work.
We will decide later whether to bring foreign players or not.
Captain Barsha Magar: Our goal is to win matches and become league champions. The competition will be fierce.
Bagmati Youth Club
Nirajan Karki, Team Manager:
The team hails from Sarlahi and their match will be held the day after tomorrow.
The team’s level is good.
Note: NRT, Jhapa Football Club, and R Resort & Beach Club did not participate in the press conference.
Photo: Vikas Shrestha
