Country Nepal Founded 1954 Level on pyramid 2 | Confederation AFC Number of teams 12-16 | |
Relegation to Martyr's Memorial B-Division 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.
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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.
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.
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.
Teams
The following are the 13 teams for the 2013–14 season.