Among the 15 players listed in Category ‘A’, eight players fetched the highest price of Rs 400,000, while Vivek Poudel went for Rs 300,000.
Three players—Pradeep Lama, Deep Karki, and Suraj Singh Thakuri—were sold for the base price of Rs 200,000 each. Goalkeepers Bikesh Kuthu, Vishal Sunar, and Bharat Khawas remained unsold.
Of the 45 players in Category ‘B’, 32 were successfully sold. In total, 44 out of 60 players were sold, with 16 unsold.
The seven NSL teams spent a combined total of Rs 13.99 million in the auction. Defending champions Lalitpur City FC emerged as the highest spender, laying out Rs 2.225 million, which exceeded the set ceiling by Rs 25,000, incurring a fine.
Lalitpur bought Mani and Santosh from Category ‘A’ for Rs 400,000 each and added five players from Category ‘B’, with four of them acquired at the base price of Rs 200,000. Prior to the auction, Lalitpur had retained Sanish Shrestha from Category ‘A’ and Aditya Shakya from Category ‘B’.
Both Kathmandu and Chitwan FC spent Rs 2.15 million each. Chitwan bought Abhishek and Sumit for Rs 400,000 each. The team also emerged lucky in a lucky draw, acquiring four players from Category ‘B’. They had previously retained Vishal Shrestha from Category ‘A’ and Chiring Gurung and Roshan Rana Magar from Category ‘B’.
Kathmandu signed Dinesh and Gillespie for Rs 400,000 each and purchased four more players from Category ‘B’. Prior to the auction, the team retained Dipesh Gurung, Kuldeep Karki, and Abhishek Baral from Category ‘B’.
Dhangadhi and Jhapa FC both spent Rs 1.95 million. Dhangadhi bought Pasang for Rs 400,000 and acquired Vivek from Category ‘A’ for Rs 300,000. They also signed four players from Category ‘B’, retaining three players from the previous season. Jhapa bought Ashish from Category ‘A’ for Rs 400,000 and retained Chiring Lama from Category ‘A’. The team also made a significant acquisition from Category ‘B’, securing six players.
Butwal Lumbini FC and Pokhara Thunders spent the least, at Rs 1.75 million each, saving Rs 450,000. However, according to auction rules, teams can save a maximum of Rs 250,000, meaning both teams will have to pay a fine.
Butwal’s most expensive acquisition was Eric Bisht from Category ‘A’, retained for Rs 300,000. They also signed Deep Karki and Naveen Lama from Category ‘A’ for the base price of 200,000 NPR, as well as four players from Category ‘B’.
Pokhara purchased Suraj Singh Thakuri from Category ‘A’ for the base price of Rs 200,000, and retained Ayush Ghalaan for Rs 300,000. They also signed five players from Category ‘B’.
Post-auction, all teams have now signed 10 players, including marquee players. The draft for Category ‘C’ players will take place within a week.
The NSL is set to kick off on March 16.
NSL Auction Raises Concerns Over Absence of ANFA Officials
The mini auction for the third edition of the Nepal Super League (NSL) raised eyebrows due to the absence of officials from the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), despite the organization’s approval of the event.
The auction, which involved 60 players across two categories, is considered one of the most significant events for the franchise league.
Despite the presence of various personalities, including Paras Khadka, Secretary of the Cricket Association Nepal (CAN), ANFA officials were notably absent. Previously, ANFA representatives had attended NSL auctions.
ANFA has an agreement with Nepal Sports and Management to collect an annual fee for organizing the NSL, but the lack of ANFA officials’ presence at the auction has raised questions.
Shriyansh Karki, Managing Director of Nepal Sports and Management, explained that although ANFA President Pankaj Vikram Nembang was invited, he was unable to attend due to being out of Kathmandu.
However, Karki clarified that there were no issues regarding cooperation with ANFA.
