The Lalitpur based club which finished ninth in the Martyrs Memorial League in the last season formally made the announcement Tuesday in the presence of the three players. [break]
The footballers were unemployed since the beginning of the new football season -- the beginning of new Nepali year three months ago. The contract will be valid till the end of the season -- mid-April 2013.
The club´s president Ratna Sumsher Rana welcomed the players offering them garlands and curd. The club, however, did not disclose the salary of the players. "The salary of the players is between Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000," Rana said. Despite the claim of the club, Republica has learnt that the salary is lower than disclosed.
Sagar Thapa (C) , Nirajan Khadka (R) and Deepak Bhusal(L) during the press meet. (Photo: Bikash Karki)
"First of all, the club should become strong; salary is still being negotiated, it will be settled soon. The salary may also increase if the team puts in a good performance," Rana said adding, "We have 20 players in the current squad and now we have also assigned the task to enroll other players to Thapa. We are also discussing signing contract with Bharat Khawas but it has not been finalized."
The club established in 2029 BS was elevated to A division in 2039 BS. Since than the club has won National League once in 1996 and finished second in the Martyrs Memorial League for five times. It has also won the title of Tilottama Gold Cup once and Birgunj Gold Cup twice. The annual budget of the club is Rs 10 million, according to Rana.
Thapa and Khadka had started their career in top division domestic football from Friends. Bhusal had also played from the club for one season. "We feel proud that the national team captain and other players have returned home," said Deepak Thapa, the senior vice president of the club. He also disclosed that the club wants to win the national league and compete in the President´s Cup.
Speaking on behalf of the players, Thapa expressed happiness at rejoining the club. "We will try to be the A division champion." skipper Thapa said hinting that Uttam Gurung and Bijay Gurung were also likely to join the club in future.
Stating the reason behind joining the club for lower salaries than the previous season, Thapa said, "We gave more importance to football than money as we were not enrolled in any club for a long time so joined for low salaries."
Thapa had left Yeti Airlines Himalayan Sherpa Club while Khadka and Bhusal played from Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyandi Club in the last season.
Thapa, 28, is the center defender and started his football career from Friends Club a decade earlier. He stayed there for initial two years and later joined several teams -- Sankata, MMC, New Road Team and Himalayan Sherpa.
Khadka, 23, national team midfielder, also started his career from Friends in 2006 and a year later he joined Mega Three Star Club. He again returned to Friends two years earlier before shifting to MMC.
Bhusal, 22, is the defender in the national team. He started his career from Sankata Club in 2010 and had joined MMC in 2011.
Related story
Machhindra Club thrashes Friends Club 3-0
