When did football (soccer) alight in Nepal in form of a tournament? It was more than half a century back. The then - prime minister Padam Shamsher started Ram Janaki Football tournament in 2004 B.S. with the objective of concretizing the increasing public interest in soccer. After the establishment of democracy in 2007 B.S., Nepal police Force was successful to enjoy the consecutive hat-trick win of that tournament and owned the trophy. Then the police force handed over it to Nepal Football Association for the continuation of the tournament in remembrance of Martyrs. That very trophy still exists now in the name of Martyr’s Memorial League Tournament.
The history of the tournament couldn't be found well -recorded and clear. Nevertheless Major chapters of the history do well in knowledge. RCT won it for three subsequent times 2028, 29 and 30 B.S. As the year of 30 B S, saw the formation of All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), the tournament also found a new form and moved ahead. The tournament however stopped for some times accounting for financial reasons.
The political turmoil of 2047 B.S., and the entailing economic downfall and political interference again stopped the tournament. Ganesh Thapa led ANFA revived it later in 2052 but unfortunately couldn’t able to continue it.
The bygone times shows the tournament as a bare entity but the present offers a new height of significance to it. Complying with other football power nations, Nepal too has made it the base for selecting the national teams. It is amply clear that Europe, South America, America, Japan; Korea etc have developed their professional football force all but for the reason that they have their own finest leagues.
The league, despite its so great a meaning, didn't take place as yet owing to several problems.
And now, bridging three years regretful gap, the league has come back again. It is a happy revival; no doubt .It essentially demands that any controversy, which is and will be responsible for the absence of the league, does never arise. Disturbing the league could only comfort certain number of people but not the Nepalese Soccer and Soccer fans who are willing to see their team to reach the ultimate height.
Niranjan Rajbansi
