, the hosts of the tournament lined-up with the defending champions Palestine along with Sri Lanka in the Group A while the Group B comprised with three African countries Burundi, Mauritius and Seychelles.
Bangladesh drawn with Palestine and Sri Lanka
SPORTS REPORTER, Dhaka
With paying great honour to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a colorful draw and logo unveiling ceremony of the Bangabandhu Gold Cup Football tournament was held at the Hotel Pan Pacific Sonargaon, in the capital yesterday.
The six-nation tournament will kick-off on January 15 and the final of January 25.
Bangladesh, the hosts of the tournament lined-up with the defending champions Palestine along with Sri Lanka in the Group A while the Group B comprised with three African countries Burundi, Mauritius and Seychelles.
About choosing the almost unknown nations, Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) explained that finding no other alternative to have the national sides they invited those African countries among them two are above Bangladesh and another one bellow in FIFA ranking.
Burundi is ranked 151, Mauritius 172 and Seychelles is 200 in FIFA ranking.
This time among the six nations, the Group A is comprised with all Asian countries and the all African teams were drawn in the Group B.
In the fifth edition of the Bangabandhu Gold Cup, Bangladesh could move into the semifinal but were eliminated after conceding 2-0 defeat to Palestine, who ultimately won the trophy.
This time also Bangladesh were drawn in the Palestine group and they will have to win a match at least to move into the semifinal.
However, Finance Minister AHM Mostafa Kamal, the chief guest of the draw ceremony, in his speech paying the great tribute to the Father of Nation said, I am proud of to be the part this historic occasion, the centenary birth day of the greatest Bengali for ever our Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
So many programmes we have set round the year including sports events to observe the hundredth birth day of the father of nation, to pay great honour to him.
Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, the member secretary the Bangabandhu birth centenary celebration committee also addressed in the draw ceremony.
State Minister for Youth and Sports, Zahid Ahsan Russel said that the countdown of the hundredth birth day of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will start from January 10, the day when Bangabandhu landed in Bangladesh from London after being released from Pakistani jail in 1972.
Government of the Bangladesh called it Mujib Borsha and so many programmes will be organised to observe the centenary birth anniversary of the Father of Nation and Bangabandhu Gold Cup will be the first event of yearlong celebration ceremonies.
BFF President Kazi Mohammed Salahuddin presided the draw ceremony.
