As per All Nepal Football Association (ANFA)´s new structure of national league, the two clubs--Mitramilan of Sunsari and Sangm of Kaski--qualified for the national league among 10 A division districts as classified by ANFA. [break]
"Though every participating team desires to win the title, the target would be highly ambitious for us. Thus, our aim is at least to secure place in top six position," Pushpa KC, the coach of Sangam Club told Republica.
Coach KC also lamented about lack of sufficient time to prepare for the much awaited national league which features 10 teams including top eight who play in the Martyrs Memorial Red Bull A Division League and two teams from outside the capital from the A division districts.
Mitramilan, established in 2050 BS, has taken the national league as a great opportunity for the team. "The club has made it to the national league for the first time and will put best performance," Kishor Rai, the president of Mitramilan said.
Both the clubs have started regular training for the league.
"The club has put a great effort to reach this place. Players played football on their own expenses and all stakeholders of the club, including officials, worked very hard," said Mahendra Gurung, the vice-president of Sangam Club, adding, "It is a great achievement for the club to be one among two best football teams from outside the capital."
The club, established in 2054 BS, has lifted local football trophies such as Sahara Cup, Bhimkali Cup, Adarsh Cup and others.
The club is also planning to hire some foreigners if it gets financial support from locals. According to the ANFA regulations, a club can hire five players from A division clubs other than top eight participant teams of the national league and four foreigners.
"We are planning to hire some players from club other than top eight teams of the Martyrs A Division League and few foreigners. So far we are running on our own financial sources. But to materialize our aim of putting better performance and hiring foreign players we need support from Pokhara denizens. The top eight teams of Martyrs Memorial League are very strong," Gurung said.
Mitramilan, owing to financial crunches, has planned to field five players of the A division teams rather than foreigners. "Being the club from outside capital, we face financial problems. But still we will hire five players from A division clubs."
According to coach Pushpa KC, the club needs a couple of skillful defenders and midfielders each and a forward for the national league. "We will bring players who could easily adjust with the team. It could be a Nepali or a foreigner."
Meanwhile, officials of the Kaski District Football Association have also assured to support Sangam. "The achievements of Sangam has made Kaski Football Association proud and we will support it in every possible way," Bikram Thakali, the vice-president of Kaski Football Association said.
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