BHF takes all out effort to stage a successful Asia Cup

Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) President Air Chief Marshal Abu Esrar, who is also the Chief of Air Staff of Bangladesh Air Force, assured that it will put all-out effort to stage the 10th Men’s Asia Cup in Dhaka in an outstanding manner.

He appreciated the Asian Hockey Federation move to award Dhaka as the venue of the tournament after 22 years. The second edition of the tournament was held in Dhaka on natural ground. He also thanks Hero MotorCorp, the title sponsor of the tournament, for their contribution to stage the tournament.

The 12-day tournament will kick-off October 11 at Maulana Bhashani Hockey Stadium and the final will take place on October 22. The draw and fixture of the tournament have already announced. Bangladesh have been placed in Group-A with India, Pakistan and Japan. Reigning champions South Korea, Malaysia, China and Oman have been drawn in Group-B. This is for the first time that about  a dozen games including the final will be played under flood-light.

The BHF president was speaking at a press conference to announce the hosting of Asia Cup Hockey formally at a local hotel yesterday. Asian Hockey Federation CEO Tayyab Ikram and J Narain, executive advisor Sports for Hero MotorCorp, also spoke on the occasion, BHF General Secretary Abdus Sadeque and BHF vice-president Rashid Sikder were also present.

 “I am extremely happy to be the part of organizing the biggest hockey tournament in Asia, the Hero Asia Cup Dhaka 2017.”

“We are hopeful that jointly with AHF, we will be able to present an exciting and successful tournament to the millions of hockey lovers around the world,” said Air Chief Marshal Esrar.

While recalling the contribution of AHF, the BHF chief said that the Asian hockey’s supreme authority greatly helped us in developing the stadium to an international standard one with installing flood light and providing all facilities to press box.

He also thanked the government for granting an amount of $ 2.25 for the renovation of the hockey Stadium.

Tayyab Ikram also appreciated the preparation work and said, “Your Bhashani Hockey Stadium is equivalent to an Olympic Games venue. We are here to develop high performance assistance and also to build up the infrastructure with long term partnership with FIH (International Hockey Federation).

Replying to a question he ruled out the possibility of laying more Astro Turf in Bangladesh to develop the game from the grassroots as suggested by BHF general secretary who recently told the media that at least eight more Astro Turf needed to develop the game as well as producing quality players.

However, Ikram defended the activities of AHF and said that at present 37 nations are associated with them and out of which 31 are full members.

J Narain, the executive of Hero MotorCorp, gave a brief resume of promoting sports at international level and it will continue in the future.

AHF President HRH Prince Abdullah Ahmad Shah in a message sent to BHF said he was pleased to confirm Hero MotoCorp coming on board as title sponsors of the tournament and Hero’s support as the lead partner of Asian Hockey Federation.

He said: “We are delighted to announce this agreement with a partner of the caliber of Hero MotoCorp, one of India’s most successful businesses and an organization that has shown extraordinary support for the sport over a number of years.

 

BHF takes all out effort to stage a successful Asia Cup

Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) President Air Chief Marshal Abu Esrar, who is also the Chief of Air Staff of Bangladesh Air Force, assured that it will put all-out effort to stage the 10th Mens Asia Cup in Dhaka in an outstanding manner. He appreciated the Asian Hockey Federation move to award Dhaka as the venue of the tournament after 22 years. The second edition of the tournament was held in Dhaka on natural ground. He also thanks Hero MotorCorp, the title sponsor of the tournament, for their contribution to stage the tournament. The 12-day tournament will kick-off October 11 at Maulana Bhashani Hockey Stadium and the final will take place on October 22. The draw and fixture of the tournament have already announced. Bangladesh have been placed in Group-A with India, Pakistan and Japan. Reigning champions South Korea, Malaysia, China and Oman have been drawn in Group-B. This is for the first time that about a dozen games including the final will be played under flood-light. The BHF president was speaking at a press conference to announce the hosting of Asia Cup Hockey formally at a local hotel yesterday. Asian Hockey Federation CEO Tayyab Ikram and J Narain, executive advisor Sports for Hero MotorCorp, also spoke on the occasion, BHF General Secretary Abdus Sadeque and BHF vice-president Rashid Sikder were also present. I am extremely happy to be the part of organizing the biggest hockey tournament in Asia, the Hero Asia Cup Dhaka 2017. We are hopeful that jointly with AHF, we will be able to present an exciting and successful tournament to the millions of hockey lovers around the world, said Air Chief Marshal Esrar. While recalling the contribution of AHF, the BHF chief said that the Asian hockeys supreme authority greatly helped us in developing the stadium to an international standard one with installing flood light and providing all facilities to press box. He also thanked the government for granting an amount of $ 2.25 for the renovation of the hockey Stadium. Tayyab Ikram also appreciated the preparation work and said, Your Bhashani Hockey Stadium is equivalent to an Olympic Games venue. We are here to develop high performance assistance and also to build up the infrastructure with long term partnership with FIH (International Hockey Federation). Replying to a question he ruled out the possibility of laying more Astro Turf in Bangladesh to develop the game from the grassroots as suggested by BHF general secretary who recently told the media that at least eight more Astro Turf needed to develop the game as well as producing quality players. However, Ikram defended the activities of AHF and said that at present 37 nations are associated with them and out of which 31 are full members. J Narain, the executive of Hero MotorCorp, gave a brief resume of promoting sports at international level and it will continue in the future. AHF President HRH Prince Abdullah Ahmad Shah in a message sent to BHF said he was pleased to confirm Hero MotoCorp coming on board as title sponsors of the tournament and Heros support as the lead partner of Asian Hockey Federation. He said: We are delighted to announce this agreement with a partner of the caliber of Hero MotoCorp, one of Indias most successful businesses and an organization that has shown extraordinary support for the sport over a number of years.