Nepal National League

The National League (also known as Red Bull National League) is 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). It 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, together with franchise based Nepal Super League.

Nepal National League
Founded2011–12
CountryNepal
ConfederationAFC
Number of teams10
Level on pyramid1
Current championsThree Star Club (1st title)
(2015)
Most championshipsNepal Police Club
Three Star Club
(1 title)
TV partnersKantipur TV
Websitethe-anfa.com

Due to the April 2015 Nepal earthquake, the 2015 season was halted for several mothns, before 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

The 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

Current clubs
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
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
Season Champions
2011–12 Nepal Police Club
2015 Three Star Club

National League clubs in Asia
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

Second Tier

In 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

In 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

References
  1. "League to resume in September". The Kathmandu Post. 17 May 2018. Archived from the original on 15 September 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  2. "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.
  3. "National League to resume from Sept 4". kathmandupost.com. Archived from the original on 2021-04-18. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
  4. Khabar, Glocal (2015-10-17). "Three Star crowned Champions!". Glocal Khabar. Archived from the original on 2023-04-20. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
  5. 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.
  6. "ANFA | ANFA President League begins in Nepalgunj". the-anfa.com. Archived from the original on 2021-04-18. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
  7. 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.
  8. "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.
  9. "Red Bull B Division National League 2012". Goal Nepal. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016.
  10. "Red Bull B Division National League to start from March 26". Goal Nepal. Archived from the original on 6 May 2016.
  11. "Red Bull C Division National League 2012". Goal Nepal. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016.
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