New Road Team (NRT), based in Kathmandu, Nepal, is one of the oldest and most iconic football clubs in Nepalese history. Founded in the early 20th century, NRT has played a central role in developing football culture in Nepal and remains a respected name in the Martyr’s Memorial A-Division League.

Overview

• Full Name: New Road Team

• Abbreviation: NRT

• Location: New Road, Kathmandu, Nepal

• Founded: 1934

• League: Martyr’s Memorial A-Division League

• Home Ground: Dasarath Stadium, Kathmandu

• Club Colors: Green and White

• Major Achievements: A-Division League Champions (6 times)

History and Background

Founded in 1934, New Road Team is one of the pioneers of organized football in Nepal. At a time when modern football was still developing in South Asia, NRT helped lay the foundation for structured club competitions in Kathmandu and beyond.

Key Milestones

• One of the founding clubs in Nepal’s first football competitions

• Known for producing some of the earliest football legends of Nepal

• Helped popularize football across different generations, especially in urban Kathmandu

Achievements

 Martyr’s Memorial A-Division League Titles

NRT has won the A-Division League six times, placing it among the elite clubs of Nepal historically.

• Champions: 1956, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1971, 1973

• Runners-up: Several seasons during the 1970s and 1980s

Though their last league title came decades ago, their historical contribution to Nepali football is immense.

 Cup Successes

• Aaha! Rara Gold Cup

• Budha Subba Gold Cup

• Regular competitors and occasional champions in regional and invitational tournaments

Squad and Playing Style

NRT focuses on:

• Technical and possession-based football

• Developing young Kathmandu talents

• Blending experience with youth in their squad approach

Notable Players

Over the decades, New Road Team has produced and nurtured several top Nepali players:

• Rohit Chand – Star player who later moved abroad to play professionally

• Deepak Rai – Former national team midfielder

• Kiran Chemjong (brief youth stint) – Nepal’s premier goalkeeper

They continue to emphasize promoting local Kathmandu-based players.

Recent Years and Rebuilding

After a challenging period in the 2010s — including relegation to B-Division — NRT has successfully rebuilt:

• Won promotion back to A-Division

• Stabilized as a competitive mid-table team

• Focused on youth recruitment and better club management

Their comeback has been seen as a testament to heritage and resilience.

Coaching and Management

NRT is managed by a blend of:

• Former players with a vision for modernizing the club

• Young coaches who bring tactical innovation and fresh ideas

• Focused on long-term sustainability rather than short-term glory

Community and Fanbase

New Road Team enjoys one of the oldest fanbases in Nepal:

• Strong support from Kathmandu’s traditional core, especially New Road and Ason neighborhoods

• Multi-generational fans who value the club’s heritage

• Respected even by rival club supporters for their history and contribution

NRT is more than a football team — it’s a symbol of Kathmandu’s early urban sporting identity.

Rivalries

• Three Star Club – Classic Kathmandu Valley matches

• Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) – Fierce battles in historic tournaments

• Friends Club and Jawalakhel Youth Club – Valley derbies

Matches involving NRT often carry historical and emotional significance beyond just the league points.

Trivia

• NRT is the oldest surviving football club in Nepal, predating the formation of many other major clubs.

• The club was founded by a group of sports enthusiasts from the New Road area, one of Kathmandu’s oldest marketplaces.

• NRT’s early matches were played on open grounds before formal stadiums existed in Nepal.