The total cash prize of the event is Rs 14.7 million with the winner and runner up getting Rs 7.5 million and Rs 3.5 million respectively.[break]
Not only cash prizes, but the presence of all domestic stars and more than three dozen foreigner players is expected to add to thrill of the competition. Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC), Three Star, tradition powerhouse Nepal Police Club and Nepal Army Club are seen as the main title contenders.
However, other teams including Yeti Airlines Himalayan Sherpa Club, Machhindra Club, McDowells Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT), Iceberg Madhyapur Youth Association, Friends Club, Bauddha Football Club are also assumed to be equally competent.
Other than departmental teams, all teams have either hired foreigner players in their squad or are in the process of signing them. As per the ANFA regulation, a team can register up to five foreigner players in the squad and include four in the playing list.
Nepal´s national team and MMC coach Krishna Thapa opines that the league will be very tough this time as every team were preparing well and most were studded with foreigner players. "Every teams are of similar level and all teams are preparing aggressively due to handsome cash prize. Besides this most of them have foreigner players," stated Thapa.
Veteran Police coach Birat Krishna Shrestha who led the departmental team to four consecutive league titles believes that presence of four quality foreigner players could turn the shape of game.
Coaches´ view of eight top teams of the last edition of Martyrs Memorial A Division League.
Birat Krishna Shrestha (Nepal Police Club)
As the champion we will aim to defend our title. Four vital members of the squad including skipper Jumanu Rai, Bhola Silwal, Suman Subedi and Roshan Lamichhane have not recovered fully from their injuries. However, they have improved a lot and all of them are likely to feature in the first match as we don´t have ideal replacement for them.
We started preparation since the last two days. Presence of four quality players could make big impact in match. Though most of the teams are of similar level MMC, Three Star, Army and RCT are better than others.
Krishna Thapa (MMC)
We started training from Sunday. Our aim is to be the champion, but it is challenging. All the teams in the midst of preparation and almost all of them have hired foreigner players. Though we won the Ncell Cup and Safal Cup, the league will be far different than those tournaments and it won´t be easy to beat any opponent.
We have three foreigner players in the squad including a goalkeeper, defender and midfielder. But there were not many quality player in the Ncell, other than Olawala Afeez of RCT. Our defender Bikash Singh Chhetri is likely to miss the first match due to back injury he picked up during Safal Cup in Pokhara.
Three Star, Army and Bauddha are comparatively stronger side. The injuries to some of key Police players has weakened the team. We have balanced and motivated side.
Kishor KC (Samsung Jawalakhel Youth Club)
We will vie for a place in the super eight. We have hired four foreigner players and are in process of hiring another one. We began training about a week go. I have not seen a single match played by the team. But currently I am working on tactical part.
MMC is a strong title contender along with departmental teams Police and Army. Machhindra is also a good team. Four quality foreigner players could make great impact on team´s overall performance.
Pradeep Humagain (Three Star Club)
We have eyes on the title. This tournament will be challenge and an opportunity for me as it will be my first A division league as a coach. I will be looking to grab the opportunity. We will come up with two foreigner players in the first match and are in the process of signing three others.
All the members of the squad will join training by Tuesday. I feel we did not have sufficient training. None of the teams have same level of consistency. Finishing as runner up in Governors´ Gold Cup in Sikkim has motivated the team.
MMC is a strong side compared to others and Machhindra has a good team combination.
Meghraj KC (Himalayan Sherpa)
We will aim to play better and win every match. We have already hired two foreigner players and three other will come before our first match on Thursday. There will be a defender and two midfielders and forwards.
It is difficult to say who will win the title. But Three Star, MMC and departmental teams -- Army and Police are strong side.
Madhu Karki (RCT)
We started training from Monday and we will start full fledged training from Monday as all player will arrive after Tihar festival break. We have confirmed two foreigners and three more are in process.
We will not fight for the title but will be looking for top eight positions with good points. As we could not have sound preparations before the league it might be difficult for us in initial three matches.
MMC is the title contender and has good players on the bench too. Three Star also has strong team. But all teams are of same level and foreigner players do not seem to be extra ordinary.
Diken Suwal (NRT)
We started the training from Monday. We will aim for a place in the super eight and I think all teams are of similar level. Four foreigner players have arrived and all of them are young.
Our team is filled with young and inexperienced players. Besides this, they do not seem to be much fit as we started training from today (Monday) after Tihar festival break. Nepali players don´t have consistency in performance.
MMC seems to be bit stronger than other teams but judging the team on the basis of their performance of Safal Cup, all seem to be of the same level. Army and Police are also strong. Level of players fitness will also matter much.
Yogamber Suwal (Nepal Army Club)
We started training from Friday as all the players were busy at the CoES Trophy -- an internal competition of Nepal Army. We will aim to put up a good show in the league and aim to finish in the top six positions.
All teams are of same level and it is difficult to predict who will win the tournament before some matches in the initial stage. The foreigner player could make small impact as the level of skills of most of them are just average.
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