The Players’ Association (PA) under the All Nepal Football Association on Thursday urged the football governing body to hold its election at the earliest to pave way for the long-stalled top-tier league to resume.

“It seems unlikely that league will resume before election. So, we urge the stakeholders to hold the election at the earliest and create favourable environment to organise the league,” said national football team captain Biraj Maharjan, who is also the vice president of PA. The top-tier league has been stalled since 2014-15 season.

“The domestic football is has been hit hard in the last three years. Players from top-tier to the lower tier are all suffering from the lack of football. Financially we used to get paid throughout the years due to the busy schedule. But now we hardly our salary for five or six months,” Maharjan added. “Some of the good players as well as coaches and technical manpowers have already deserted football in search of better future. Any many more will be soon following their suits due to the dearth of football activities. So we hope the Anfa election will pave the way for renewal of football activities in the country.”

Former national team captain and coach Hari Khadka stressed on the urgent need of holding election not just to avoid suspension from Fifa and AFC but also smooth functioning of domestic football.

“In the absence of Anfa body, Nepal’s Saff Championship preparations in September might as well hit hard,” said Khadka.  Khadka also feared that AFC or Fifa may not release development fund until a new committee was in place.