Kathmandu, Jan. 24 -- The National League should have had 10 teams-four clubs that qualified from the ANFA President League and six of the top teams from the previous Martyr's Memorial 'A' Division League. But there are 13 of the A-Division clubs in the ongoing National League, as the governing body of Nepali football could not handle the pressure from the clubs that refused to remain dormant due to the long absence of a top-tier league.

Even if there were only 10 clubs, the four teams from the President League would not be the favourites to win the National League, let alone a tournament involving 17 clubs.

Laligurans Association Club, the club representing Pokhara of Kaski district, qualified for the National League as the champions o...