Martyr's Memorial A-Division League
| Martyr's Memorial A-Division League |
|---|
| Founded |
| 1954 |
| Nation |
 Nepal |
| Number of Teams |
| 16 |
| Asian Qualification |
| AFC President's Cup |
| Most time Champions |
| Manang Marsyangdi Club (6) Ranipokhari Corner Team (6) |
| Current Champions (2012-13) |
| Three Star Club |
Martyr's Memorial 'A' Division League (Nepali: शहीद स्मारक ए डिभिजन लीग) is 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 Nepal Football, B Division.
Currently in its 40th season (since its establishment in 1954/55), a total of 16 teams are competing for the league trophy. The 2012/2013 season began on 20 November 2012.[1]
Contents |
History of the league [edit]
Prime minister Padam Shamsher started the Ram Janaki Football tournament in 1947 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.
Following a hiatus from 2006–2009, the league has now joined Europe; South America; America; Japan; and Korea in developing their professional football force into one of the finest leagues.
Recent years [edit]
2009–2010 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League [edit]
In 2010, the ANFA league competition was resumed after a three year absence–a result of league infighting. This latest revival of the league concluded its tournament with the Nepal Police Club crowned as champions. During this season, the league faced charges of match fixing.
2010–2011 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League [edit]
The competition featured an expanded 18 team roster (featuring a first-time team from Mofussil Koelapani Polestar). The champions qualified for the SAFF[clarification needed] club championship. The top 8 teams went to the National League (Nepal), while the bottom 4 clubs were relegated. The games were played in Dashrath Stadium and Halchowk Stadium. Defending champions, Nepal Police Club won the league trophy.
2011–2012 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League [edit]
A total of 10 teams competed. Nepal Police Club won their fourth title in a row.
2012-2013 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League [edit]
A total of 16 teams are competing this year for the trophy. The top 8 teams will play a super-league competition; while the three bottom teams are relegated.[2]
Previous winners [edit]
Since the start of the league, 15 different clubs have won the title in 38 tournaments. MMC and RCT jointly lead the tournaments with 6 titles. NRT and current champion Nepal Police Club have won 4 titles each. Sankata, Mahabir and Three star have 3 titles each. Three other historic clubs Deurali Club, Annapurna Club and Police Force have won 2 titles each. Army XI, Friends Union, Boys Union, Sunakhari and Bideya Byana clubs have each won a single title.[3]
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 | 2011/12 | 2068 | Nepal Police Club |
| 41 | 2012/13 | 2069 | Three Star Club |
Topscorers [edit]
They are:[citation needed]
| Year | Best scorers | Team | Goals | |
| 2000/01 | |
Niranjan Rayamajhi | Rani Pokhari | 23 |
| 2003/04 | |
Surendra Tamang | Three Star Club | 15 |
| 2004/05 | |
Basanta Thapa | Manang Marsyangdi Club | 20 |
| 2005/06 |   |
Junior Obagbemiro Rishi Rai |
Brigade Boys Club Ranipokhari Corner Team |
27 |
| 2006/07 | ~on hiatus~ | |||
| 2007/08 | ~on hiatus~ | |||
| 2008/09 | ~on hiatus~ | |||
| 2009/10 | |
Santosh Sahukhala | Three Star Club | 19 |
Notess [edit]
- ^ Tournament Details at Goal Nepal online.
- ^ Update on A Division League Nepal
- ^ "Nepal - List of Champions and Cup Winners". RSSSF. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
References [edit]
- FIFA.com – Football at the heart of the Himalayas
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