Bashundhara Kings, Dhaka Abahani in Group B of Sheikh Kamal Football Cup

Sheikh Kamal Cup Caption: State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Hasan Russell MP holds a team’s name during a draw ceremony of Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup Football Tournament at Le Meridien Hotel here on Friday. Photo: UNB
Sheikh Kamal Cup Caption: State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Hasan Russell MP holds a team’s name during a draw ceremony of Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup Football Tournament at Le Meridien Hotel here on Friday. Photo: UNB

Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) champions Bashundhara Kings and runners-up Dhaka Abahani Ltd have been placed in the four-team Group B of the Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup Football Tournament scheduled for 19-30 October at the MA Aziz Stadium in the port city of Chattogram, reports UNB. 


Chennaiyin FC of India and Terengganu FC of Malaysia are the other teams of Group B while Group A comprises of Mohun Bagan AC of India, TC Sports of the Maldives, Young Elephants FC of Laos and hosts Chattogram Abahani Ltd.

The grouping of the eight-team was held in a draw ceremony at Le Meridien Hotel here on Friday.

State minister for youth and sports Zahid Hasan Russell MP was present at the programme as chief guest and president of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Kazi Md Salahuddin as special guest.

Besides, chairman of the standing committee on youth and sports ministry Abdullah Al Islam Jakob, chief whip of the parliament Shamsul Haque Chowdhury, president of Chattogram Abahani Ltd M A Latif and chief convener of tournament committee and vice-president of Chattogram Abahani Ltd Tarafdar M Ruhul Amin were also present on the occasion.

The budget for the tournament is Tk 100 million.

Earlier, the tournament organizing committee has finalized the eight teams for the ensuing tournament including three local clubs alongside five club teams from aboard on Thursday.

The Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup, a biennial soccer event, was held in Chattogram twice in 2015 and 2017.

Chattogram Abahani Ltd organises the tournament on regular basis in memory of Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Each team will get US$ 10,000 as participation money while the Champion team will be awarded US$ 50,000 and the runners-up US$ 25,000.

Chattogram Abahani Ltd emerged champion of the first edition of the tournament in 2015 beating East Bengal FC of India by 3-1 goals in the final while TC Sports Club of the Maldives emerged champion in the second edition in 2017 beating Pocheon Citizen FC of South Korea by 4-2 goals.