Debt-laden NRT abandons football activity

A decision to walk out from the football activity by New Road Team (NRT) came as the shocking news for Nepali football.  

Citing the financial crunch, one of the oldest and richest top level clubs of the nation, four time league champions NRT, will not be participating in any football activity for a year.

An overwhelming majority of the NRT voted in favor to pull out from the football in its special general assembly held at its office situated at Tripureshwor.  Out of the 43 members with voting rights, 34 were against of playing football by debt laden NRT.

While informing the decision of general assembly, NRT General Secretary Binay Pradhan said that the Club has a debt of Rs. 17.3 million, including Rs 14 million to Himalayan Bank and Rs. 3.2 million to its members. 

NRT, established in 1991B.S, had borrowed loan in 2064 BS to strengthen the team by hiring high-profile players with the highest paychecks. But owing to the conflict between clubs and All Nepal Football Association, nation could not witness any football activities for three years. NRT’s then investment in football went all in loss as they were forced to pay the salaries to their footballers for 18 months for nothing.

The club which has a monthly income of Rs. 900 thousand from its house rent will be unable to repay their debt even in 10 years if they continue to play football was the claim of the NRT. “But if we take a break from football for one or two years we can pay off all our loans,” said the general secretary.

The harsh decision of discontinuing the football was taken in order to save the institution, said Pradhan. “To play football or save the institution was the serious question NRT has to deal with. And we chose latter.”

So it is for sure that NRT won’t be returning to football ground unless it is debt free. Not only NRT but also some other top-tier first division outfit are in strapped position owing to their low income.

Much before NRT’s decision, Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) also came closer to depart from the football in its 10-day long general assembly. RCT, however, decided to play one year and wait if their financial condition turns healthy.

Along with NRT and RCT there are five Clubs with fixed assets from which they get a regular income. But compared to their expenses, their income falls short. And remaining clubs largely depends on sponsorships and donations from members and fans.

The clubs intact with the financial crisis are the three departmental teams-Nepal Police Club, Armed Police Force Club and Tribhuvan Army Club-which do not have a trouble on managing their budget.

Failing to explore new areas of income, Clubs themselves must be blamed for their financial crunch. Selling their brands, could be one source of income. They can focus on increasing their fans and inspiring them to visit in their matches so that they could have some amount of expenditure covered from gate money.

That does not mean that nation’s football governing body ANFA has not its role in the dilapidated condition of the clubs. Instead of distributing attractive prizes, ANFA should have also invested the money in strengthening the status of the domestic clubs by bringing proper guidelines and licensing system. Only the stronger clubs will help in building of the quality and competitive national team that could bring success in international arena. 

Since its establishment NRT has been playing the football and it was also one of the first clubs to play A division from the beginning in 2011BS. NRT had won the first division league titles in 2015BS, 2017BS, 2037BS and 2052BS.