ANFA Blocks Rapti FC from Women’s League Amid Opposition from Other Clubs

Rapti Football Club has been denied participation in the ANFA Women’s League, just three days after the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) released the full league schedule. The decision comes following opposition from other participating clubs.

On Thursday afternoon at 1:41 PM, ANFA shared the complete Women’s League schedule on its social media channels, listing ten teams including Rapti FC at the fifth spot. However, after nine other clubs opposed Rapti’s inclusion, ANFA informed the club that it would not be allowed to compete in the league.

Rapti had earned sixth place in the ANFA Women’s League qualifiers and was preparing to join the league. According to ANFA’s selection process, five teams — Church Boys United, New Road Team, RS Pokhara, Sankata, and Jhapa — were selected through qualifiers, while three departmental teams and two clubs, Walling Municipality and Bagmati Youth Club, gained direct entry based on last year’s standings. Since Walling could not participate this year, ANFA invited Rapti to fill the vacant spot.

Following ANFA’s instructions, Rapti submitted the participation form and paid the required fees last week, beginning preparations for the league. However, three days after issuing the fixtures, ANFA informed the club that it would not be allowed to play, according to Rapti’s General Secretary Pushparaj Parajuli.

Parajuli said the decision affects the club not only financially but also socially. “We prepared for the league under ANFA’s guidance, arranging player contracts, hostel accommodations, kits, and other equipment in a short time. We were ready to start training after the fixtures were released, but ANFA informed us this morning that we cannot participate,” he said.

“The expenses are already incurred, and we now face difficulties explaining the situation to sponsors, partners, players, and staff. This decision has caused both financial and social challenges,” Parajuli added.

ANFA Chief Executive Officer Indraman Tuladhar stated that the decision was forced by unanimous opposition from the other nine clubs. “The other nine clubs agreed they would be fine with a team chosen through the qualifiers taking part, but they opposed Rapti filling Walling’s spot. Once all nine clubs agreed, ANFA had no choice but to bar Rapti,” he explained.

The National Women’s League is scheduled to start on Chaitra 4 at Chyasal Stadium, with the full schedule of 45 matches announced through Baisakh 12. With Rapti now excluded, the league will proceed with nine teams. Rapti FC, meanwhile, has indicated it will pursue legal action once formal written notice of the decision is received.