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 tier 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 twice. It is officially known as the Qatar Airways Martyr's Memorial A-Division League.
| Organising body | ANFA |
|---|---|
| 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 (2nd title) |
| Most championships | Manang Marsyangdi (8 titles) |
| Top goalscorer | Santosh Sahukhala (103 goals) |
| TV partners | Space 4K (live telecast; also on YouTube) Eleven Sports (online streaming) |
| Website | www |
| Current: 2023 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
For the 2021/22 season ANFA deals with Nepal's popular TV channel Kantipur Television and Kantipur Cineplex to broadcast live. From 2nd round Kantipur TV was also streaming A Division League on YouTube platform.
Now, this season 2023 Space 4k tv and it's YouTube channel is going to broadcast and stream A Division matches.
Teams
Current teams
The following 14 teams will compete in the Martyr's Memorial A-Division League in the 2022–23 season, with two teams promoted from the B-Division.
| Club | Location | 2021–22 position |
|---|---|---|
| Church Boys United | Kathmandu (koteshwor) | 1st (B-Division) |
| Friends Club | Lalitpur (Kupondole) | 12th |
| Himalayan Sherpa Club | Kathmandu (Hattigauda) | 10th |
| Jawalakhel YC | Lalitpur (Jawalakhel) | 9th |
| F.C. Khumaltar | Lalitpur (Khumaltar) | 2nd (B-Division) |
| Machhindra Football Club | Kathmandu (Jana Bahal) | 1st |
| Manang Marshyangdi Club | Pokhara, Kaski | 5th |
| Nepal APF Club | Kathmandu (Halchowk) | 8th |
| Nepal Police Club | Kathmandu (Maharajgunj) | 11th |
| New Road Team | Kathmandu (New Road) | 3rd |
| Sankata BSC | Kathmandu (Te Bahal) | 7th |
| Satdobato Youth Club | Lalitpur (Satdobato) | 4th |
| Three Star Club | Lalitpur (Patan) | 6th |
| Tribhuvan Army F.C. | Kathmandu (Bhadrakali) | 2nd |
Champions
Since the start of the league, 16 different clubs have won the title in 44 tournaments. Manang Marshyangdi Club have the most (8 titles) under their belt. Machhindra Football Club are the current champions.[3]
| S.N. | Season | B.S. | Winner | Top scorer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1954–55 | 2011 | Mahabir Club | |
| 2 | 1955–56 | 2012 | Police Force | |
| 3 | 1956–57 | 2013 | Police Force (2) | |
| 4 | 1957–58 | 2014 | Army XI | |
| 1958–60 | 2015–16 | League not held | ||
| 5 | 1960–61 | 2017 | New Road Team | |
| 6 | 1962–63 | 2019 | New Road Team (2) | |
| 7 | 1963–64 | 2020 | Bidya Byama | |
| 1964–66 | 2021–22 | League not held | ||
| 8 | 1966–67 | 2023 | Mahabir Club (2) | |
| 9 | 1967–68 | 2024 | Friends Union | |
| 10 | 1968–69 | 2025 | Deurali Club | |
| 11 | 1969–70 | 2026 | Mahabir Club (3) | |
| 12 | 1970–71 | 2027 | Deurali Club (2) | |
| 13 | 1971–72 | 2028 | Ranipokhari Corner Team | |
| 14 | 1972–73 | 2029 | Ranipokhari Corner Team (2) | |
| 15 | 1973–74 | 2030 | Ranipokhari Corner Team (3) | |
| 16 | 1975 | 2032 | Boys Union Club | |
| 17 | 1976 | 2033 | Sunakhari Athletic Club | |
| 18 | 1977 | 2034 | Annapurna Club | |
| 19 | 1978 | 2035 | New Road Team (3) | |
| 20 | 1979 | 2036 | Ranipokhari Corner Team (4) | |
| 21 | 1980 | 2037 | Sankata Boys Club | |
| 22 | 1981–82 | 2038 | Ranipokhari Corner Team (5) | |
| 23 | 1982 | 2039 | Annapurna Club (2) | |
| 24 | 1983 | 2040 | Sankata Boys Club (2) | |
| 25 | 1984 | 2041 | Ranipokhari Corner Team (6) | |
| 26 | 1985 | 2042 | Sankata Boys Club (3) | |
| 27 | 1986 | 2042–43 | Manang Marsyangdi Club | |
| 28 | 1987 | 2043–44 | Manang Marsyangdi Club (2) | |
| 1988 | 2045 | League not held | ||
| 29 | 1989 | 2046 | Manang Marsyangdi Club (3) | |
| 1990–1994 | 2047–51 | League not held | ||
| 30 | 1995 | 2052 | New Road Team (4) | |
| 1996 | 2053 | League not held | ||
| 31 | 1997 | 2054 | Three Star Club | |
| 32 | 1998 | 2055 | Three Star Club (2) | |
| 1999 | 2056 | League not held | ||
| 33 | 2000 | 2057 | Manang Marsyangdi Club (4) | Nirajan Rayamajhi (15 goals) |
| 2001–02 | 2058–59 | League not held | ||
| 34 | 2003–04 | 2060 | Manang Marsyangdi Club (5) | Surendra Tamang (15 goals) |
| 35 | 2004 | 2061 | Three Star Club (3) | Basanta Thapa (20 goals) |
| 36 | 2005–06 | 2062 | Manang Marsyangdi Club (6) | Junior Obagbemiro Rishi Rai (27 goals) |
| 37 | 2006–07 | 2063 | Mahendra Police Club (3) | Anil Gurung (31 goals) |
| 2007–09 | 2064–66 | League not held due to conflicts between ANFA and the clubs[4] | ||
| 38 | 2010 | 2066–67 | Nepal Police Club (4) | Santosh Sahukhala (19 goals) |
| 39 | 2011 | 2068 | Nepal Police Club (5) | Ju Manu Rai (21 goals) |
| 2011–12 | 2068 | Nepal National League was held instead | ||
| 40 | 2012–13 | 2069 | Three Star Club (4) | Santosh Sahukhala (17 goals) |
| 41 | 2013–14 | 2070 | Manang Marsyangdi Club (7) | Karna Limbu (11 goals) |
| 2014–15 | 2071 | Nepal National League was held instead | ||
| 2015–18 | 2072–74 | League not held due to aftermath of the 2015 Nepal earthquake | ||
| 42 | 2018–19 | 2075 | Manang Marsyangdi Club (8) | Afeez Oladipo Bharat Khawas Ranjit Dhimal (7 goals) |
| 43 | 2019–20 | 2076 | Machhindra Football Club | Aashish Lama (9 goals) |
| 2020–21 | 2077 | League not held due to COVID-19 pandemic | ||
| 44 | 2021–22 | 2078 | Machhindra Football Club (2) | Jamoul Francois[a] Messouke Oloumou (7 goals) |
Championships by team
| 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 |
| Nepal Police Club[b] | 5 | 1955–56, 1956–57, 2006–07, 2010, 2011 |
| 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 |
| Sankata Boys Club | 1980, 1983, 1985 | |
| Annapurna Club | 2 | 1977, 1982 |
| Deurali Club | 1968–69, 1970–71 | |
| Machhindra Football Club | 2019–20, 2020–21 | |
| Nepal Army Club[c] | 1 | 1957–58 |
| Bidya Byama | 1963–64 | |
| Boys Union Club | 1975 | |
| Friends Union | 1967–68 | |
| Sunakhari Athletic Club | 1976 |
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 F.C. | Preliminary round 2 |
| 2022 | Machhindra F.C. | Preliminary round 1 |
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 |
Notes
- ^ Despite Jamoul Francois and Messouke Oloumou both scoring 7 goals each, ANFA awarded the title of top goalscorer to Jamoul Francois, as he scored the goals in less time.[5]
- ^ Formerly known as Mahendra Polic Club. Championships for Police Force in 1955–56 and 1956–57 also included
- ^ Championship for Army XI in 1957–58 also included
See also
References
- ^ [1] 2017-07-19 at the Wayback Machine at ANFA Official Site
- ^ at FIFA Official Site, National League Table 2015
- ^ "Nepal - List of Champions and Cup Winners". RSSSF. from the original on 12 July 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
- ^ "Nepal 2010". RSSSF. from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
- ^ "Sunil Bal Player of the Tournament, Satdobato Fair Play team". All Nepal Football Association. from the original on 2 March 2022. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
External links
- – Football at the heart of the Himalayas
- Martyr's Memorial A-Division League on Facebook