Martyr's Memorial A-Division League

Martyr's Memorial Red Bull A-Division League
शहीद स्मारक ए डिभिजन लीग
Country    Nepal
Confederation AFC
Founded 1954
Number of teams 12-16
Level on pyramid 1
Relegation to Martyr's Memorial B-Division League
League cup(s) Ncell Cup
International cup(s) AFC President's Cup
Current champions Three Star Club (4th title)
(2013–14)
Most championships Manang Marsyangdi Club (7 titles)
TV partners Kantipur Gold
Website www.goalnepal.com
2015 Nepal National League

Martyr's Memorial 'A' Division League (Nepali: शहीद स्मारक ए डिभिजन लीग) (formerly known as the Kathmandu League Championship) is one of the top division of the All Nepal Football Association 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 seasons run 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 currently sponsored by Red Bull and thus officially known as the Martyr's Memorial Red Bull '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. Currently there are 9 clubs competing in the National League, 5 of which are the top 5 teams of Martyr's Memorial A-Division League.[1][2]

Currently in its 41st season (since its establishment in 1954–55), a total of 13 teams are competing for the league trophy. The 2013–14 season began on 30 December 2013.[3]

History of the league

Prime minister Padam Shamsher 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.

Previous winners

Since the start of the league, 15 different clubs have won the title in 41 tournaments. MMC have the most (7 titles) under their belt. They are also the current champions.[4]

S.N. Season B.S. Winner
1 1954–55 2011 Mahabir Club
2 1955–56 2012 Police Force
3 1956–57 2013 Police Force
4 1957–58 2014 Army XI
5 1960–61 2017 New Road Team
6 1962–63 2019 New Road Team
7 1963–64 2020 Bidya Byama
8 1966–67 2023 Mahabir Club
9 1967–68 2024 Friends Union
10 1968–69 2025 Deurali Club
11 1969–70 2026 Mahabir Club
12 1970–71 2027 Deurali Club
13 1971–72 2028 Ranipokhari Corner Team
14 1972–73 2029 Ranipokhari Corner Team
15 1973–74 2030 Ranipokhari Corner Team
S.N. Season B.S. Winner
16 1975 2032 Boys Union Club
17 1976 2033 Sunakhari Athletic Club
18 1977 2034 Annapurna Club
19 1978 2035 New Road Team
20 1979 2036 Ranipokhari Corner Team
21 1980 2037 Sankata Club
22 1981–82 2038 Ranipokhari Corner Team
23 1982 2039 Annapurna Club
24 1983 2040 Sankata Club
25 1984 2041 Ranipokhari Corner Team
26 1985 2042 Sankata Club
27 1986 2042–43 Manang Marsyangdi Club
28 1987 2043–44 Manang Marsyangdi Club
29 1989 2046 Manang Marsyangdi Club
30 1995 2052 New Road Team
S.N. Season B.S. Winner
31 1996–97 2054 Three Star Club
32 1997–98 2055 Three Star Club
33 2000 2057 Manang Marsyangdi Club
34 2003–04 2060 Manang Marsyangdi Club
35 2004 2061 Three Star Club
36 2005–06 2062 Manang Marsyangdi Club
37 2006–07 2063 Nepal Police Club
38 2010 2066–67 Nepal Police Club
39 2011 2068 Nepal Police Club
40 2012–13 2069 Three Star Club
41 2013–14 2070 Manang Marsyangdi Club

Winners

Club Winners Winning Seasons
Manang Marshyangdi Club 7 1986, 1987, 1989, 2000, 2003, 2005–06, 2013–14
Ranipokhari Corner Team 6 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, 1979, 1981–82, 1984
New Road Team 4 1960–61, 1962–63, 1978, 1995
Three Star Club 4 1997, 1998, 2004, 2012–13
Mahabir Club 3 1954–55, 1966–67, 1969–70
Nepal Police Club (formerly Mahendra Police Club) 3 2006–07, 2010, 2011
Sankata Club 3 1980, 1983, 1985
Annapurna Club 2 1977, 1982
Deurali Club 2 1968–69, 1970–71
Police Force 2 1955–56, 1956–57
Army XI 1 1957–58
Bidya Byama 1 1963–64
Boys Union Club 1 1975
Friends Union 1 1967–68
Sunakhari Athletic Club 1 1976

Teams

The following are the 13 teams for the 2013–14 season.

Team City
APF Club Kathmandu
Boys Union Club (R) Kathmandu
Friends Club Lalitpur
Himalayan Sherpa Club Kathmandu
Jawalakhel Youth Club Lalitpur
Machhindra Football Club Kathmandu
Manang Marshyangdi Club Kathmandu
Nepal Army Club Kathmandu
Nepal Police Club Kathmandu
Ranipokhari Corner Team (R) Kathmandu
Sankata Club Kathmandu
Saraswoti Youth Club Kathmandu
Three Star Club Lalitpur

References

  1. at ANFA Official Site
  2. at FIFA Official Site, National League Table 2015
  3. at Goal Nepal online.
  4. "Nepal - List of Champions and Cup Winners". RSSSF. Retrieved 29 March 2014.

External links

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