The long-stalled Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League is set to resume after five years from September 29 will the reduced prize money for the champions, the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) announced on Sunday.

The champions of the 14-team league will earn Rs 5 million, Rs 2.5 million less than what the last champions—Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC)— received in 2013-14. ANFA hosts the National League the following season instead of the Martyrs Memorial League that featured nine teams including five ‘A’ Division and four district outfits. Ever since there has been no such top-tier league football in the country. The National League had offered Rs 10 million in prize money.

Besides champions this season, the other top six teams are also assured of cash rewards. Altogether Rs 13.7 million will be presented in cash prize. Despite reducing the prize money, ANFA spokesperson Kiran Rai incorrectly claimed the overall prize amount was increased this season. “The total prize money is higher from the last edition. We are trying to distribute prize amount in proportional ratio so that all clubs could survive,” said Rai.

The top three teams of the last National League had alone collected Rs 17.5 million.

Meanwhile, Anfa scrapped their plans to hold the league matches at the weekend. But that plan has been replaced by offering two-day break after each round of league. “The matches will be played at the Anfa Complex grounds in Satdobato and APF grounds in Halchowk,” informed Sanjiv Mishra, the director of league. “There will be at least two-day gap between each rounds.”

Each team will be provided with Rs two million to prepare for the league. The league however will not have relegation and the champions getting a chance to represent Nepal in the AFC Asian Cup 2019. The two teams finishing in the bottom will be deducted two and one point in the next edition apart from deducting the preparation fees by Rs 300,000 and Rs 200,000.  “As it is the first time the Martyrs Memorial League is set to be held after five years, we have decided to scrap relegation provision for now after discussions with the ‘A’ Division teams,” said Bigyan Raj Sharma, the league committee coordinator. 

The expected budget of the tournament is Rs 58 million. ANFA will use the $ 688,000 FIFA grant allocated to conduct the ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ division leagues. Three Star Club, Manang Marshyangdi Club, Nepal Police Club, Nepal Armed Police Force Club, Tribhuvan Army Club, Jawalakhel Youth Club, Friends’ Club, Sankata Club, Machhindra Club, Saraswati Youth Club, Chyasal Youth Club, New Road Team, Brigade Boys and Himalayan Sherpa Club are the team to compete in the league.

Each team can register a maximum of 35 players and a minimum of 18 footballers. All the clubs will be allowed to field four foreign players including a reserved quota for the South Asian players. They can field all four players at a time in a match.