31 July 2010

MMC to Pokhara?

MMC created a lot of buzz this week with their press conference announcing the big-money signings of virtually all of Nepal's best players that do not play for Nepal Police Club. Despite all the fanfare, the fact of the matter is that MMC still has a long way to go. They still do not train regularly or have a training ground, youth academy or club store - all basic prerequisites to truly call yourself a professional club.

As long as MMC is based in Kathmandu none of those short comings will change. The Valley is just too chaotic and filled with too much negativity to implement bold ideas. I was thus pondering, how awesome would it be if MMC moved to Pokhara.

It makes too much sense! MMC already has a massive following among the large ethnic population in Pokhara and unlike other Kathmandu based clubs, they do not really have a geographic footprint in the Capital, so relocating to Pokhara is not going outrage any communities in Kathmandu.

As potentially the only "A" division club that would be located in Pokhara, MMC could generate a lot of support from fans and businesses in the city. Pokhara Stadium would be packed to the brim for each one of MMC's home matches meaning lakhs and lakhs of revenue for the club. Starting an academy and ancillary football activities would be a million times easier than it would be in Kathmandu. As for the other Pokhara team, Sahara Club - most big cities in the world have several big clubs, so Pokhara would be no different. Hopefully Sahara Club would be inspired to start playing in the Martyr's League after witnessing MMC truly become Nepal's first professional football club.