Martyr's Memorial A-Division League

Martyr's Memorial A-Division League
Founded
1954
Nation
Nepal
Number of Teams
12
Asian Qualification
AFC President's Cup
Most time Champions
Manang Marsyangdi Club (6) Ranipokhari Corner Team (6)
Current Champions (2011)
Nepal Police Club

Martyr's Memorial Red Bull 'A' Division League (Nepali: शहीद स्मारक ए डिभिजन लीग) is the top division of the All Nepal Football Association in Nepal. Contested by 18 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with B Division.

History of The League

The then - prime minister Padam Shamsher started Ram Janaki Football tournament in 1947 with the objective of concretizing the increasing public interest in football. After the establishment of democracy in 1950, Nepal police Force was successful to enjoy the consecutive hat-trick win of that tournament and owned the trophy. Then the police force handed over it to Nepal Football Association for the continuation of the tournament in remembrance of Martyrs. That very trophy still exists now in the name of Martyr’s Memorial League Tournament. The history of the tournament couldn't be found well -recorded and clear. Nevertheless Major chapters of the history do well in knowledge. RCT won it for three subsequent times 1971-73. As the year of 1973 B S, saw the formation of All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), the tournament also found a new form and moved ahead. The tournament however stopped for some times accounting for financial reasons.

The political turmoil of 1990, and the entailing economic downfall and political interference again stopped the tournament. Ganesh Thapa led ANFA revived it later in 1995 but unfortunately couldn’t able to continue it.

The by gone times shows the tournament as a bare entity but the present offers a new height of significance to it. Complying with other football power nations, Nepal too has made it the base for selecting the national teams. It is amply clear that Europe, South America, America, Japan; Korea etc. have developed their professional football force all but for the reason that they have their own finest leagues.

The league, despite its so great a meaning, didn't take place as yet owing to several problems.

And now, bridging three years regretful gap, the league has come back again. It is a happy revival; no doubt .It essentially demands that any controversy, which is and will be responsible for the absence of the league, does never arise. Disturbing the league could only comfort certain number of people but not the Nepalese football and football fans who are willing to see their team to reach the ultimate height.

2011 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League

Main article: 2011 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League

The competition featured 18 teams and first time a team from Mofussil Koelapani Polestar. The teams have been extended from 12 to 18 due to various reasons. The champions will qualify for the SAFF club championship. Whereas, the top 8 teams will get to the National League (Nepal). While the bottom 4 clubs are relegated. The game were played in Dashrath Stadium and Halchowk Stadium. Defending champion Nepal Police Club won the league.

2010 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League

Main article: 2010 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League

The league was a huge relief for the national football as a whole after being resumed three years later due to infighting of ANFA The league conclude with Nepal Police Club crowned as champions. The league also faced controversies of match fixing.

Previous winners

Since the start of league 15 clubs has won the title in 38 tournaments. MMC and RCT jointly lead the tournaments with equal 6 titles whereas NRT has won 4 titles. Sankata, Mahabir and Three star clubs has equal 3 titles each. Whereas current champion Nepal Police Club won the 2 titles making tie with three other history clubs Deurali Club, Annapurna Club and Police Force. Army XI, Friends Union, Boys Union, Sunakhari and Bideya Byana clubs has won single title each.

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	2068/69	Nepal Police Club

Topscorers

Year		Best scorers	Team	Goals
2000		Niranjan Rayamajhi	Rani Pokhari	23
2003/04		Surendra Tamang	Three Star Club	15
2004		Basanta Thapa	Manang Marsyangdi Club	20
2005/06		Obagbemiro Junior Rishi Rai	Brigade Boys Club Ranipokhari Corner Team	27
2009/10		Santosh Sahukhala	Three Star Club	19
2010/11		Ju Manu Rai	Nepal Police Club	20

References

• FIFA.com – Football at the heart of the Himalayas