KATHMANDU: The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has decided not to hold the Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League under the previously proposed “home and away” format.

Based on feedback from clubs, ANFA concluded that the new format is not feasible for now and will return to the traditional league structure.

At a press conference held at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato on Tuesday, General Secretary Kiran Rai said that top-division clubs had requested a long preparation period for the “home and away” league format.

“The clubs said they would need at least 8 to 10 months for preparation. Since we cannot afford to wait that long, we have decided to continue the league under the existing format for now,” Rai explained.

In its general assembly held in Dhulikhel last April, ANFA had approved a calendar scheduling the ‘A’ Division League from December 25, 2025 to June 14, 2026.

Later, during a meeting with clubs, ANFA had planned to start the league from December 24, and proposed adopting the “home and away” system.

However, the association has now reversed that plan only six weeks later.

According to Rai, ANFA will hold further discussions with clubs after the Chhath festival to finalize the league’s structure.

“The top-tier leagues include the National League and the A Division League. We will decide which to conduct and in what format after consultations,” he said.

Since the completion of the 2022/23 season, no new season of the league has begun.

In the previous season, Church Boys United won the league title in their debut season with 48 points.

Due to instability in domestic football, more Nepali players have been moving abroad to play.

National team captain Kiran Kumar Chemjong and several top players are currently competing in Bangladeshi and Cambodian leagues.