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 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 Qatar Airways and thus officially known as the Qatar Airways Martyr's Memorial A-Division League.
| Organising body | ANFA |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1954 |
| Country |  |
| Confederation | AFC |
| Number of teams | 14 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| Domestic cup(s) | Various |
| International cup(s) | AFC Cup |
| Current champions | Machhindra FC (1st title) (2019–20) |
| Most championships | Manang Marsyangdi Club (8 titles) |
| Top goalscorer | Santosh Sahukhala (103 goals) |
| TV partners | Nepal Television(live telecast) Mycujoo (online streaming) |
| Website | www |
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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 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
With AP1 Television being one of the organizers of the A division league, they also serve as the official broadcasters of the league in Nepal.
Clubs
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.[4]
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Wins by club
| Club | Winners | Winning Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| Manang Marshyangdi Club | 8 | 1986, 1987, 1989, 2000, 2003, 2005–06, 2013–14, 2018–19 |
| 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 | 1997, 1998, 2004, 2012–13 | |
| Mahabir Club | 3 | 1954–55, 1966–67, 1969–70 |
| Nepal Police Club (formerly Mahendra Police Club) | 2006–07, 2010, 2011 | |
| Sankata Boys Club | 1980, 1983, 1985 | |
| Annapurna Club | 2 | 1977, 1982 |
| Deurali Club | 1968–69, 1970–71 | |
| Police Force | 1955–56, 1956–57 | |
| Army XI | 1 | 1957–58 |
| Bidya Byama | 1963–64 | |
| Boys Union Club | 1975 | |
| Friends Union | 1967–68 | |
| Sunakhari Athletic Club | 1976 | |
| Machhindra Football Club | 2019-2020 |
2018–19 season
The following are the 14 clubs will compete in the Martyr's Memorial A-Division League during the 2018–19 season.
| Club | Position in previous season |
|---|---|
| Brigade Boys Club | 1st (2014 B-Division) |
| Chyasal Youth Club | 1st (2016 B-Division) |
| Friends Club | 8th |
| Himalayan Sherpa Club | 7th |
| Jawalakhel Youth Club | 11th |
| Machhindra Football Club | 2nd |
| Manang Marshyangdi Club | 1st |
| Nepal APF Club | 6th |
| Nepal Army Club | 10th |
| Nepal Police Club | 4th |
| New Road Team | 2nd (2016 B-Division) |
| Sankata BSC | 5th |
| Saraswati Youth Club | 9th |
| Three Star Club | 3rd |
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 | Group Stage |
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
- at ANFA Official Site
- at FIFA Official Site, National League Table 2015
- at Goal Nepal online.
- "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
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