Liga Melaka or Malacca League is a state level football league held in Malacca, Malaysia. The league is managed by the football authority in Malacca, the Melaka Football Association (MAFA).

Liga Melaka
Founded1929; 95 years ago (1929)
CountryMalaysia
ConfederationAFC
DivisionsDivision 1
Division 2
Division 3
Number of teamsDivision 1: 10
Division 2: 12
Division 3: 12
Level on pyramid4–6
Feeder toMalaysia A2 Amateur League (from Division 1)
Promotion toMBMB Warriors
Domestic cup(s)Malaysia FA Cup
Melaka FA Cup
Current championsMBMB Warriors (Division 1)
SAMB II (Division 2)
Lekir F.C. (Division 3)
Most championshipsSAMB (Division 1) (5 titles)
Current: 2024 Liga Melaka

History

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The earliest recorded state football league took place in Malacca was in 1929 where the team that won the league at that year was Malacca Chinese FA.[1]

In 1936 there are five teams participated in the league which are Rangers, Police, CFA I, CFA II and G. Services.[2] In 1965 there are seven teams participated in the league which are New Market SC, Hakka Association PWD/Survey SC, 1-10 Gurkha Rifles, Malacca Police, Kilat Club, Medicals SC and 1st Battalion Scots Guards.[2] Unfortunately the winners for both years are unknown.

In 2014, Melaka Football Association was undergoing restructuring where Liga Melaka was relaunched for 2014 season onwards with two divisions.[3] In 2015, a total of 44 clubs compete in the league where the first division consist of 16 clubs divided into two groups while the second division with 28 clubs divided into four groups.

At the end of 2016, MUSA has announced that the 2017 season will start on 26 February 2017 instead of late year.[4] A third division was introduced by MUSA for 2017 Melaka League season where a total number of clubs in first and second divisions were reduced for the elite few where the rest will play in the third division.[5] A total of 43 clubs will compete in 2017 season. A knockout cup tournament of Piala FA Liga Melaka was also introduced to be played at the start of the season featuring all three divisions.[5][6]

Starting in 2018, the top league in the Melaka League (Division 1) became part of the M5 League recognized by the Malaysian Football League, making this league at level 5 in Malaysian football league system.[7]

In 2024 Melaka League Division 1 become one of the 2024–25 Malaysia A3 Community League registered under the Amateur Football League (AFL). Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said, it has also been rebranded as the Most Honorable President's League Division 1 Cup of the Melaka Football Association (MAFA).[8]

Piala FA Liga Melaka

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For 2017 season, MUSA has introduced a knockout cup tournament called Piala FA Liga Melaka which will be play at the start of the season featuring all three divisions of Liga Melaka.[5][6]

Melaka Open Veteran League

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MUSA also held other league such as Melaka Open Veteran League which consist of 16 teams.[9] The players qualified for this league must be over 40 years old.

Competition

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  • MAFA League Division 1 (Piala Yang Amat Berhormat Presiden)
  • MAFA League Division 2
  • MAFA League Division 3
  • Melaka FA Cup
  • Melaka Charity Cup
  • Melaka Governor Cup

The structure of the league competition is as below:

Level Total teams League(s) / division(s)
1 (3) 10 MAFA League Division 1
↑ 1 promotion spots
↓ 2 relegation spots
2 (4) 12 MAFA League Division 2
↑ 3 promotion spots
↓ 2 relegation spots
3 (5) 10 MAFA League Division 3
↑ 3 promotion spots

Current member teams

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Below are listed the member teams of the FA Melaka League for the 2024 season.

MAFA League Division 1

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  • Andalas FC
  • Bertam Ulu FC
  • Duyong Fighters FC
  • Hulubalang FC
  • MBMB Warriors
  • Panglima FC
  • Perma FC
  • PSP FC
  • Tedong FC
  • Teman FM FC

MAFA League Division 2

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  • Alai Empire FC
  • Arena FM FC
  • Bachanglona FC
  • Bara FC
  • Durian Tunggal FC
  • Durian Tunggal United
  • Henry Gurney FC
  • Merlimau Pasir FC
  • MMU Melaka
  • Peringgit Muafakat FC
  • SAMB FC II
  • Taba FC

MAFA League Division 3

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  • Adiputra FC
  • Air Merbau FC
  • Alor Gajah Police
  • Lekir FC
  • MBFA
  • MIFA
  • Srikandi FC
  • Surya FC
  • Taming Sari FC
  • TSR FC

Past league winners

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Division 1

Year Champions Runner-up
2011 SAMB
2012 SAMB
2013 SAMB
2014–15 SAMB Gajah Berang F.C.
2015–16 Hulubalang F.C. Perma F.C.
2017 UtEM F.C. Gerakan F.C.
2018 SAMB Masjid Tanah FC
2019 MBMB Warriors Andalas
2020-21 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2022 Tampoi FC MBMB Warriors
2023 Not held
2024 MBMB Warriors Hulubalang F.C.

Division 2

Year Champions Runner-up
2014–15 Bawean F.C. Air Merbau F.C.
2015–16 BSN Melaka F.C. Teman FM F.C.
2017 Pengkalan F.C. Pulau Sebang F.C.
2018 MBMB Warriors Andalas
2019 White Star Persibu
2020-21 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2022 Bertam Ulu F.C. Duyong Fighters F.C.
2023 Not held
2024 SAMB II Bara F.C.

Division 3

Year Champions Runner-up
2017 MBMB Warriors Andalas F.C.
2018 Jebat F.C. Multimedia University II F.C.
2019 Bertam Ulu F.C. Peringgit Bersatu
2020-21 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2022 Rizq F.C. Bachanglona F.C.
2023 Not held
2024 Lekir F.C. Taming Sari F.C.

Melaka Charity Cup (Piala Sumbangsih Melaka)

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Year Champions Runner-up Score in final
2024 MBMB Warriors Bertam Ulu 2–1

Malacca FA Cup

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Year Champions Runner-up Score in final
2017 MBMB Warriors Perma 4–1
2018-23 Not held

Governor Cup

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Year Champions Runner-up Score in final
2022 MBMB Warriors Tampoi F.C. 2–1
2023 Tampoi F.C. Perma F.C. 1–1 (3–2 PK)

Former clubs

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References

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  1. ^ [1] Malaysia - List of Regional Champions and Cup Winners
  2. ^ a b "Malaysia - List of Regional Champions and Cup Winners".
  3. ^ http://melakablogger.blogspot.my/2014/11/liga-melaka-2014-divisyen-satu.html Liga Melaka Divisyen 1
  4. ^ "Melaka United Soccer Association - MUSA on Facebook". Facebook. Archived from the original on 2022-04-30.[user-generated source]
  5. ^ a b c "Melaka United Soccer Association - MUSA on Facebook". Facebook. Archived from the original on 2022-04-30.[user-generated source]
  6. ^ a b "Melaka United Soccer Association - MUSA on Facebook". Facebook. Archived from the original on 2022-04-30.[user-generated source]
  7. ^ "194 pasukan sertai Liga M5 2018 - FMLLP". Berita Harian.
  8. ^ "Saingan Liga Melaka 2024 dijenama semula". Berita RTM.
  9. ^ http://stadiummelaka.gov.my/versionBI/index.php/typography/visi-misi/86-berita/110-liga-veteran-terbuka-melaka[permanent dead link] Liga Veteran Terbuka Melaka