Martyr's Memorial A-Division League
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Organising body | ANFA |
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Founded | 1954 |
Country | Nepal |
Confederation | AFC |
Number of teams | 14 (currently) |
Level on pyramid | 1 |
Relegation to | Martyr's Memorial B-Division League |
Domestic cup(s) | various |
International cup(s) | AFC Cup |
Current champions | Machhindra FC (1st title) |
Most championships | Manang Marsyangdi Club (8 titles) |
Top goalscorer | Santosh Sahukhala (103 goals) |
TV partners | Kantipur Television (live telecast also in youtube) MyCujoo (online streaming) |
Website | www |
Current: 2021 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League |
Martyr's Memorial A-Division League (Nepali: शहीद स्मारक ए- डिभिजन लिग) (formerly known as the Kathmandu League Championship) is the top divisions of football in Nepal. Contested by 12 to 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation within the Martyr's Memorial B-Division League. The season usually runs from November to March with every team playing each other once and the top six teams reach the Super Six round, where the teams again play each other once. It is officially known as the Qatar Airways Martyr's Memorial A-Division League.
A new Nepal National League was created in 2011 to give chance to compete A level tournaments to the clubs outside Kathmandu valley. There were 9 clubs competing in the National League, 5 of which are teams of Martyr's Memorial A-Division League.[1][2]
History of the league[]
Prime minister Padma Shumsher started the Ram Janaki Football tournament in 1934 with the objective of solidifying the increasing public interest in football. After the establishment of democracy in 1950, the Nepali Police Force had initial successes, enjoying consecutive hat-trick wins and monopolizing the trophy for several years. The Nepal Football Association received the trophy from them, continuing the tournament in remembrance of national martyrs. The trophy is presented today to the winners of the "Martyr's Memorial League Tournament".
RCT won the trophy three subsequent times (1971–73). 1973 saw the formation of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), and the tournament continued under new authority, although there have been periodic stoppages due to financial and other reasons. (For instance, the political and economic turmoil of the 1990s stopped the tournament for several years.) League president, Ganesh Thapa, at one time revived ANFA (in 1995), but could not continue it for long. Complying with other football power nation rules, Nepal made ANFA its base for selecting the national teams, although the league still struggled to continue going into the 21st century. Financial problems has caused many football clubs to fold and some to postpone their participation with the most recent being New Road Team, which is the oldest club in Nepal.
Media coverage[]
ANFA deals with Nepal's popular tv channel Kantipur Television and Kantipur Cineplex to broadcast live . From 2nd round Kantipur Tv is also streaming A Division League on YouTube platform.
Clubs[]
Current clubs[]
The following 14 teams will compete in the Martyr's Memorial A-Division League in the 2021 season.
Club | 2019–20 position | Location |
---|---|---|
Himalayan Sherpa Club | 10th | Kathmandu, Bagmati Province |
Machhindra Football Club | 1st | |
Nepal APF Club | 12th | |
Tribhuvan Army F.C. | 2nd | |
Nepal Police Club | 5th | |
New Road Team | 8th | |
Sankata BSC | 7th | |
Brigade Boys Club | 13th | Lalitpur, Bagmati Province |
Chyasal Youth Club | 9th | |
Friends Club | 11th | |
Jawalakhel YC | 6th | |
Satdobato Youth Club | 1st in B-Division (promoted) | |
Three Star Club | 4th | |
Manang Marshyangdi Club | 3rd | Pokhara, Gandaki Province |
Champions[]
Since the start of the league, 16 different clubs have won the title in 43 tournaments. Manang Marshyangdi Club have the most (8 titles) under their belt. Machhindra Football Club are the current champions.[3]
Wins by club[]
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A-Division clubs in Asia[]
Martyr's Memorial A-Division clubs participated in the AFC President's Cup from its foundation in 2005 till its dissolution in 2014. Since 2015, the winners of the Martyr's Memorial A-Division League qualify for the AFC Cup. A-Division clubs could also qualify for the Asian Club Championship before 2004.
AFC President's Cup[]
Season | Team | Position |
---|---|---|
2005 | Three Star Club | Semi-Final |
2006 | Manang Marshyangdi Club | 3rd in Group Stage |
2007 | Mahendra Police Club | Runner-up |
2008 | Nepal Police Club | Semi-Final |
2009 | Nepal Police Club | 4th in Group Stage |
2010 | New Road Team | 3rd in Group Stage |
2011 | Nepal Police Club | 4th in Group Stage |
2013 | Three Star Club | 3rd in Final Stage |
2014 | Manang Marshyangdi Club | 2nd in Final Stage |
AFC Cup[]
Season | AFC Cup | Position |
---|---|---|
2015 | Manang Marshyangdi Club | DNP |
2019 | Manang Marshyangdi Club | 4th in Group Stage |
2021 | Tribhuvan Army Club | Preliminary round 2 |
Asian Club Championship[]
Season | AFC Cup | Position |
---|---|---|
1985–86 | New Road Team | 5th in Qualifiers |
1987 | Manang Marshyangdi Club | 4th in Qualifiers |
1990–91 | Ranipokhari Corner Team | 3rd in Qualifiers |
1996–97 | New Road Team | First Round |
1997–98 | Mahendra Police Club | First Round |
1998–99 | Three Star Club | First Round |
See also[]
References[]
- ^ [1] at ANFA Official Site
- ^ [2] at FIFA Official Site, National League Table 2015
- ^ "Nepal - List of Champions and Cup Winners". RSSSF. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
- ^ "Nepal 2010". RSSSF. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
External links[]
- FIFA.com – Football at the heart of the Himalayas
- Martyr's Memorial A-Division League Facebook
- Martyr's Memorial A-Division League
- Football leagues in Nepal
- Sports leagues established in 1954
- Top level football leagues in Asia
- 1954 establishments in Nepal