Martyrs Memorial C-Division League will commence in Kathmandu from 10th of August. ANFA has made all the required preparation for the upcoming league. The top four teams will be automatically qualified for the upcoming inaugural National C-Division League.
Format
Like wise the upper tier leagues, all twelve teams in this league are also from the valley.
The teams are divided into two groups.
Group A
Garuda Sports Club
Khalibari FC
Khumaltar Youth Club
Nawa Jyoti Youth Club
Sanepa Club
Satdobato Youth Club
Group B
Charumati Youth Club
Naxal Yuba Mandal
Sakchamnagar Youth Club
Shree Bhagwati Youth Club
Shree Kumari Club
Social Welfare Sports Centre
The winners from each group will automatically qualify for the Martyr's Memorial B-Division League. The 1st runner up of each group will also join those winners to the inaugural National C-Division League. The bottom club from each group will be relegated.
Analysis
To reduce the cost and time, 12 teams won't be playing each other. Instead there are two groups with 6 teams each. Although the teams have been randomly selected for the respective groups, some of the better teams may have a disadvantage falling into a more competitive group. Thus it is arguable that not every team has a equal opportunity to reach the Martyr's Memorial B-Division League, National C-division League or same risk to be relegated. Also, playing in this structure will be less beneficial for the teams advancing to upper leagues.The structure of the Martyr's A-division league is more hectic than any other leagues in Europe.
The teams such as Himalayan Sherpa Club is an epitome to survive through these leagues and now has been qualified for the National A-Division League. But not all the teams have the same economical strength and players. Himalayan Sherpa now owns National players as well as international players.
Best of Luck to all the teams and players taking part in Martyr's Memorial C-Division League.
The most anticipated League of Nepal is here. ANFA has taken a milestone footstep on developing football from east to west and south to the north. Gorkha Brewery has become the first official sponsor of the league for next three years. The ANFA president Ganesh Thapa and Gorkha Brewery's Marketing Director Rajendra Gurung sealed the deal worth 25 lakh rupees recurring every season. ANFA defined this contract as the largest sponsorship in any Nepali League. Now, the teams requires to win the National League to enter the AFC President's Cup instead of the Martyr's Memorial A-Division League.
The decentralisation has begun.The clubs outside the valley will have the opportunity to show that they are no weaker than the clubs inside the valley. One of such a club is Sahara club. The club nurtures unfortunate children as well as young talents from my home town Pokhara.Sahara were denied entry into C division owing to the geographic location as well as protest from the clubs in Kathmandu. We don't need to reiterate that clubs such as Sahara and other clubs around the country has contributed the best players in Nepal to the A division clubs as well as the national team. Current Nepalese dominant striker no. 10 Anil Gurung used to play for Sahara Club in the past.
Structure of ANFA National League:
ANFA has proposed three National Leagues in three tiers.
A-Division National League: 6 teams from Martyr's Memorial A-Division and 2 A-categorised district teams, 6 teams will play home and away.
Total: 8 teams
B-Division National League: 4 teams from Martyr's Memorial B-Division and 2 B-categorised district teams, all matches will be played in same venue.
Total: 6 teams
C-Division National League: 4 teams from Martyr's Memorial C-Division and 2 C-categorised district teams, all matches will be played in same venue.
Total: 6 teams
The top six clubs from the Martyrs Memorial A-Division League (MM ADL) automatically qualifies for the A-Division National League. The champions Nepal Police Club and !st runner up Manang Marsyangdi Club followed by Jawalakhel Youth Club, Three Star Club, Himalayan Sherpa Club and Ranipokhari Corner Team has already booked their places. Two teams from the A-categorised districts i.e. Banke, Chitwan, Jhapa, Kaski, Makwanpur, Morang, Parsa, Rupendehi, Kailali, Sunsari will challenge for all Nepal supremacy.
Similarly two teams from B-categorized Districts: Dhankuta, Ilam, Siraha, Rautahat, Sindhupalchowk, Kavre, Dhanusha, Nawalparasi, Tanahu, Kanchanpur, Surkhet, Syangjya and two teams from C-categorized Districts: Panchthar, Sarlahi, Bara, Saptari, Baglung, Mahottari, Nuwakot, Dhadhing, Bardiya, Dolakha, Dang, Gorkha, Lamjung, Palpa, Udayapur will test the mettle of 4 top teams from Martyr's Memorial B-Division and Martyr's Memorial C-Division Leagues respectively. All matches for both bottom tiers will not be played in different venues.
The teams from B and C-categorised districts can be promoted into higher National Division Leagues by their performance in respective leagues. First and second position of both B and C-categorised districts in these leagues will provide them MM C-Division League status. Similarly First and second position by the A-categorised districts will earn them MM ADL status. The relegation will also be in similar fashion.
By analysing the facts, B-division National League is going to be more competitive. Teams from Syangja are really strong and I strongly believe that they need to be amongst A-categorised districts. The Journey is going to be tough relatively for the A-categorised teams in A-Division National League. The reason is that the teams from Martyr's Memorial are not only experienced in playing top level but also have learnt to play day in and day out. Fatigue is going to play a major role. They play more frequently than many European clubs during the season. Also the six top clubs from MM ADL can also loan maximum of 5 players each from other clubs from A-division league.
The League is dated to be commenced on 26th of August.
Overall, the league will transform the teams and players alike. The players would be more beneficial to show their skill to charm national as well as international professional clubs. I am supporting Kaski and Sahara, AND YOU????
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