The 2016 Martyr's Memorial B-Division League season, also known as the RedBull Martyr's Memorial B-Division League for sponsorship reasons, was the 2016 edition of the second-tier club football competition in Nepal. The season began on 21 August 2016 and concluded on 5 October 2016. It was the first B division league held since 2014 due to the April 2015 Nepal earthquake. All matches were played at Halchowk Stadium and the ANFA Complex.
Teams
A total of 14 teams competed in the league, including 10 sides from the 2014 season, three relegated from the 2013-14 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League and one promoted from the 2014 Martyr's Memorial C-Division League.
Team changes
To B-Division Promoted from 2014 Martyr's Memorial C-Division League Khumaltar Youth Club Relegated from 2013–14 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League Boys Union Club Ranipokhari Corner Team
From B-Division Relegated to 2016 Martyr's Memorial C-Division League Birgunj Youth Association Football Club Boudha Football Club Swoyambhu Club United Youth Club Promoted to 2018–19 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League Brigade Boys Club
Overview of teams
TeamLocationPrevious season Bansbari Football Club Bansbari, Kathmandu 11th Boys Union Club Tripureshwor, Kathmandu 13th (A-Division) Chyasal Youth Club Chyasal, Lalitpur 8th Khumaltar Youth Club Khumaltar, Lalitpur 1st (C-Division) Madhyapur Youth Association Thimi, Bhaktapur 2nd Mahabir Youth Club Kalikasthan, Kathmandu 6th Nayabasti Youth Club Nayabasti, Kathmandu 4th New Road Team New Road, Kathmandu Relegated from 2012–13 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League due to financial reasons and did not participate in the 2014 league. Pulchowk Sports Club Pulchowk, Lalitpur 10th Ranipokhari Corner Team Ranipokhari, Kathmandu 12th (A-Division) Samajik Youth Club Narayantar, Kathmandu 3rd Satdobato Youth Club Satdobato, Lalitpur 5th Shree Kumari Club Balkhu, Kathmandu 9th Tushal Youth Club Tushal, Kathmandu 7th
Venues The league was played centrally in two venues in two cities in the Kathmandu Valley. Nepal's main football stadium, Dasharath Rangasala was unavailable, as it was not yet reconstructed following the 2015 Nepal earthquake. Lalitpur Kathmandu ANFA Complex Halchowk Stadium Capacity: 4,000 Capacity: 3,500
League table
Awards
PlayerClubBest Coach Chet Narayan Shrestha Chyasal Youth ClubBest Goalkeeper Raja Babu Thapa Chyasal Youth ClubBest Defender Chetan Tharu Chyasal Youth ClubBest Midfielder Sushil Lama New Road TeamBest Striker Suraj Raut Khumaltar Youth Club
Controversy On 27 September 2016, after losing against New Road Team, officials of Shree Kumari Club attacked and beat referee Sudesh Pandey. All Nepal Football Association sanctioned multiple of Shree Kumari Club's official, suspending the president of the club for two years.
Goal Nepal found out that the match commissioner of this game was not at the venue but in Goa, India, with a commentator calling this "disgusting". Citing security concerns, referees threatened to suspend operations after the incident.
References