The National League (also known as Red Bull National League) was a club-level association football competition in Nepal. The champions secured qualification to a continental cup, previously the AFC President's Cup (now AFC Cup). The franchise-based Nepal Super League took place for two seasons, in 2011–12 and 2015. In other years the Martyr's Memorial A-Division League was and still is the highest level league in Nepal.
 | |
| Founded | 2011–12 |
|---|---|
| Country | Nepal |
| Confederation | AFC |
| Number of teams | 10 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| Current champions | Three Star Club (1st title) (2015) |
| Most championships | Nepal Police Club Three Star Club (1 title) |
| TV partners | Kantipur TV |
| Website | the-anfa.com |
Due to the April 2015 Nepal earthquake, the 2015 season was halted for several months, as professional level football was paused in Nepal due to the earthquake's aftermath, until the next season of the 2018–19 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League.[1]
History
editThe first season of National League was played in a single round-robin format in the first season in a single venue. The top eight teams from the 2011 A-Division League were joined by two invitational teams from outside the Kathmandu Valley. A-Division champions Nepal Police Club won the league undefeated and became the inaugural National League champions.[2]
The second season was played after a hiatus of three years in a double round-robin format with teams playing home and away. The top 10 teams from the 2013-14 A-Division League were joined by four teams from outside the Kathmandu Valley. Sankata BSC pulled out of the tournament and Machhindra, Himalayan Sherpa Club, Saraswati Youth Club and Friends Club were banned by ANFA and the league was played by nine teams. The 2015 season of the League was heavily affected by the April 2015 Nepal earthquake, with play being suspended for several months.[3] Three Star Club won the league winning their first National League title.[4]
The third season of the National League was scheduled to be played in April 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The top six teams from the 2019-20 A-Division League will be joined by the top four teams from the ANFA President's League in the ten team league.[5][6]
Clubs
editCurrent clubs
edit| Club | Location | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Dhambojhi Sports Club | Banke, Lumbini | 2nd in President's League[7] |
| Manakamana Youth Club | Rautahat, Madhesh | 3rd in President's League[7] |
| Star City Youth Club | Kailali, Sudurpaschim | 1st in President's League[7] |
| Triveni Youth Club | Lamjung, Gandaki | 4th in President's League[7] |
| Machhindra F.C. | Kathmandu, Bagmati | 1st in A-Division League |
| Manang Marshyangdi Club | 3rd in A-Division League | |
| Nepal Police Club | 5th in A-Division League | |
| Tribhuwan Army F.C. | 2nd in A-Division League | |
| Jawalakhel Youth Club | Lalitpur, Bagmati | 6th in A-Division League |
| Three Star Club | 4th in A-Division League |
Former clubs
edit| Club | Location | Season(s) |
|---|---|---|
| APF Club | Kathmandu | 2015 |
| Himalayan Sherpa Club | 2011–12 | |
| New Road Team | ||
| Ranipokhari Corner Team | ||
| Jawalakhel Youth Club | Lalitpur | |
| Mitra Milan Club | Dharan, Sunsari | 2011–12 |
| Sangam Club | Pokhara, Kaski | |
| Far Western FC | Dhangadhi, Kailali | 2015 |
| Jhapa XI | Birtamod, Jhapa | |
| Lumbini F.C. | Butwal, Rupandehi | |
| Morang XI | Biratnagar, Morang |
Champions
edit| Season | Champions |
|---|---|
| 2011–12 | Nepal Police Club |
| 2015 | Three Star Club |
National League clubs in Asia
edit| Season | AFC President's Cup | Position | AFC Cup | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Nepal Police Club | 3rd in Group Stage | Did not qualify | |
| 2017 | Competition disbanded | Three Star Club | 1st in Qualifying Round[a] | |
1 The All Nepal Football Association failed to register Three Star Club by the competition deadline for the qualifying play-offs.[8]
Lower levels
editSecond Tier
editIn its initial season, Nepal National League also hosted a second division, 2012 B-Division National League made up with the 2011 Martyr's Memorial B-Division Leagues top six teams and two teams that qualified through a separate qualification tournament.[9][10]
Third Tier
editIn its initial season, Nepal National League also hosted a third division, 2012 C-Division National League made up with the 2011 Martyr's Memorial C-Division Leagues top four teams and two teams that qualified through a separate qualification tournament.[11]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "League to resume in September". The Kathmandu Post. 17 May 2018. Archived from the original on 15 September 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
- ^ "Nepali Football[Dedicated to Nepali Football]: Nepal National League 2068 BS ( 2012)". Nepali Football[Dedicated to Nepali Football]. 2014-02-01. Archived from the original on 2021-04-18. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
- ^ "National League to resume from Sept 4". kathmandupost.com. Archived from the original on 2021-04-18. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
- ^ Khabar, Glocal (2015-10-17). "Three Star crowned Champions!". Glocal Khabar. Archived from the original on 2023-04-20. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
- ^ Sureis (2019-06-01). "ANFA unveils 10-team National League". The Himalayan Times. Archived from the original on 2021-04-18. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
- ^ "ANFA | ANFA President League begins in Nepalgunj". the-anfa.com. Archived from the original on 2021-04-18. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
- ^ a b c d न्यूज, नेपालगन्ज (2021-03-26). "कसरी भयो स्टार सिटी एक खेल अगावै च्याम्पियन ?". Nepalgunj News. Archived from the original on 2021-04-18. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
- ^ "ANFA negligence deprives Three Star from AFC Asia Cup". myRepublica. 8 December 2016. Archived from the original on 9 December 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
- ^ "Red Bull B Division National League 2012". Goal Nepal. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016.
- ^ "Red Bull B Division National League to start from March 26". Goal Nepal. Archived from the original on 6 May 2016.
- ^ "Red Bull C Division National League 2012". Goal Nepal. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016.