The 2023 ''Martyr's Memorial'' A-Division League ( Nepali: शहीद स्मारक ए डिभिजन लिग २०७९) was the 45th edition of the

Martyr's Memorial A-Division League Martyr's Memorial A-Division League ( Nepali: शहीद स्मारक ए- डिभिजन लिग; formerly known as the Kathmandu League Championship) is the top divisions of football in Nepal. Contested by 12 to 16 clubs, it operat ...

since its establishment in 1954–55. A total of 14 teams competed in the league.

Machhindra F.C. Machhindra FC (formally known as Machhindra Bahal Club) is a Nepali professional association football, football club from the central Kathmandu, neighborhood of List of neighborhoods of Kathmandu, Keltole, playing in the Martyr's Memorial A-Divis ...

were the defending champions. The league was scheduled to begin on 10 January 2023 but was pushed back to begin on 3 March 2023 due to a conflict between the

All Nepal Football Association The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) (Nepali language, Nepali: अखिल नेपाल फुटबल संघ (एन्फा)) is the governing body of football in Nepal. It is responsible for the Nepal national football team, natio ...

and the clubs regarding up-front payments. On 6 June 2023,

Church Boys United Church Boys United (formally known as Church Boys FC) is a Nepali football club from the Koteshwor neighborhood of Kathmandu that competes in the Martyr's Memorial A-Division League. The club was first promoted to Martyr's Memorial A-Division Lea ...

were crowned as league winners for the first time in club history in what the

Kathmandu Post ''The Kathmandu Post'' is a major daily newspaper published in Nepal. Founded in February 1993 by Shyam Goenka, it is one of the largest English-language newspapers in the country. The newspaper is independently owned and published by Kantipur ...

called a "fairytale run," resulting in the team winning the title for three consecutive seasons after being promoted in the two years prior respectively. However, as the champions could not secure AFC club licensing, the second-placed team

was qualified for the 2023–24 AFC Cup preliminary round 1. The season would also be the first time that one of Nepal's three departmental clubs consisting of outfits of the Army, the

Police The police are a constituted body of persons empowered by a state, with the aim to enforce the law, to ensure the safety, health and possessions of citizens, and to prevent crime and civil disorder. Their lawful powers include arrest and t ...

and the

Armed Police Force The Armed Police Force, Nepal is a paramilitary land force tasked with counter-insurgency operations in Nepal. It functions as a semi-military wing, and occupies a sort of dual role as both military and law enforcement. Service is volunta ...

would be relegated with the last team coming second to last and being relegated to the

Martyr's Memorial B-Division League Martyr's Memorial 'B' Division League ( Nepali: शहीद स्मारक बी डिभिजन लीग) is the second tier of the association football league of Nepal football league system after the Martyr's Memorial A-Division League ...

Participating teams

The following 14 teams competed in the Martyr's Memorial A-Division League in the 2022–23 season, with 12 teams from the previous season and

and FC Khumaltar promoted from the 2022 B-Division League.

Location

Personnel and kits

Foreign players

has allowed a maximum of four foreign players including two from Asian country per team.

Head coaching changes

Venues

The league was played in two cities in the

Kathmandu Valley The Kathmandu Valley ( ne, काठमाडौं उपत्यका; also known as the Nepal Valley or Nepa Valley ( ne, नेपाः उपत्यका, Nepal Bhasa: 𑐣𑐾𑐥𑐵𑑅 𑐐𑐵𑑅, नेपाः गाः)), ...

League table

Results

1st Round

2nd Round

Positions by round

Results by games

Season statistics

Scoring

Top Goal Scorers

''As of 10 June 2023''

= Hat-tricks

= * ⁵ Player scored 5 goals

Clean Sheets

''As of 10 June 2023''

Awards

End-of-Season Awards

Controversy

The All Nepal Football Association sanctioned Sankata BSC for delaying the kick-off of their match against Nepal APF FC and latter club for delaying the kick-off of the second half of the game. FC Khumaltar was also sanctioned for breaking locker-room chairs after a 7–3 loss to Machhindra FC at

Chyasal Stadium Chyasal Stadium (previously known as Chyasal ANFA Technical Football Center) is a multi-purpose stadium in the Chyasal neighborhood of Lalitpur in Bagmati Province of Nepal. It is mainly used for football matches and has a grass playing surface. ...

. After attempting to "attack"a referee following a 1–1 draw against New Road Team, players of Machhindra FC were sanctioned by the Football Association.

Notes

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:2023 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League Martyr's Memorial A-Division League seasons