AHF vows to award more intl tournaments to Dhaka
AHF CEO lauds BHF for successfully staging Asia Cup
Sports Reporter
The Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) declared Maulana Bhashani Hockey Stadium, Dhaka as a full fledged international venue and vows to honour the Bangladesh capital with more high profile international tournaments in the future.
Tayyab Ikram, Chief Executive Officer of AHF announced it yesterday in a press briefing held at the Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium.
The CEO of the AHF, who is pleased with the organization capacity of the BHF is highly satisfied and applauded BHF, said, With the successful hosting of Hero Asia Cup, Maulana Bhashani Hockey Stadium, Dhaka is now a fully recognized as international venue, I would like to say that Dhaka can look forward to host more international tourneys in future.
When the last two matches of the Super Four were delaying to start due to rough weather yesterday, the CEO said, Before the tournament, it was counting down of the moment of the kick off and also so many distrusts that whether the venue and other preparations would be completed in due time - Successfully facing all the challenges organizers (BHF) converted those to good opportunities and the tournament started in due time and also successfully going on rather than last two days interruption for rough weather, but it is natural and I dont want to blame it. Well showcase this stadium to the rest of the world.
Replying to a query Tayyab said, Maulana Bhashani Hockey Stadium is now a professional venue, as AHF recognized. In future this venue will be able to host professional matches but there are some issues like traffic, travel time, you need to resolve, need additional hockey pitch apart from this one for at least for practice purpose. One team needs to play at least 60 international matches in a year to get prepared accordingly. But that also requires lots of money.
The newly formed committee of AHF included in its agenda that some prominent players should spend some time in abroad, said the CEO, replying to a query.
The AHF CEO also pledged that Bangladesh would be invited to the umpiring courses, technical delegates program, training workshops for coaches and other technical assistance programs. He added that Bangladesh should come forward to support these initiatives.
Replying to another query whether the AHF would assistance to BHF with providing more Astroturf, the CEO said, Now the turf is being used it is also with the support of the AHF, we are working with 38 countries to develop hockey, so it will take time.
We are about sign on agreement with the local companies for the sponsorship of some projects and Bangladesh will also be benefited, said Tayyab.
