The governing body of Nepal, All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has announced that the top division league of Nepal will start from the 29th September. Also known as the Martyr's Memorial A Division League Football, it was stopped after the disastrous earthquake in 2015 in Nepal. The disastrous earthquake centered west of the capital killed nearly 9000 people injuring 22,00 people on 25th April 2015.

Source: Wikipedia

This earthquake also destroyed the only International stadium, Dasharatha Rangasala in Nepal where most of the sporting event used to take place. Although the announcement for league football is made, Dasharatha Rangasala is not yet ready to host the football match where the majority of the league games used to be played. The reconstruction is still going but it is going at a very slow pace. Instead, ANFA will be hosting the league games in ANFA complex and Armed Police Force (APF)’s stadium.

In this edition, 14 clubs based on Kathmandu will be competing for the title. There is also enforcement of the new rules that every team should sign at least four foreign players and one player from SAARC countries. Many players from African nations come to play the professional football in Nepal. With enforcement of this rule, these players from African nations residing in Nepal will get the opportunity to play as all clubs wants to have them. Also, it is good news for the Nepali football as it will be an opportunity for local players to learn from the International player and increases the sense of competition.

Since there is no league going on lower division after the earthquake, there will be no relegation this time. There are no signs of the starting date for the lower division of the football which is classified as B and C division. But for this time, ANFA has made provision of penalizing by deducting the point for the team that finishes bottom. The two teams to finish bottom of the table will have some point deduction for the next edition of the League.

Above all, the prize money for the winner of the league has been increased and now the winner gets 50k dollar and an opportunity to play in AFC Cup Qualifiers. It is the highest prize money in the history of Nepali football. The runner-up and the second runner-up will be 35k and 20k respectively. There are also prizes for the best player in different position. The major part of the prize money is coming from the FIFA as FIFA provided around $700k under the FIFA Forward Program for the development of football in Nepal.