Navy to start as favourites

National Hockey kicks off today

ATN Bangla 31st National Gold Cup Hockey Championship will kick off today with four matches taking place in the opening day at the Maulana Bhashani Hockey Stadium.
A total of 32 teams including 24 districts, two divisions, Dhaka Education Board, BKSP and four services teams are taking part in the national meet splitting into eight groups.
Top of the each group will move into the second round while the first phase will take place in round robin league format and the second round will be knockout system.
Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) detailed all in a press conference yesterday when they said that they will provide accommodation, daily allowance and one way conveyance to the participants from outside Dhaka.
Meanwhile, ATN Bangla, a private Television channel, who has five years agreement of sponsorship of the National Hockey Championship for five years, this year made a Gold Cup.
The champions of the National Championship will receive Taka 1,00000 besides the replica of the Gold Cup, runners-up Taka 50,000 and a  trophy while the third placed team will get Taka 20,000.
Mir Motahar Hossain, representative of the ATN Bangla informed that, the Gold Cup will be made of at least with ten grams gold and the replica will be given to the champions’ team, if any team will win the title three times in a row will have the real cup.        
Bangladesh Navy are  the most favourites this year to lift the title surpassing the defending champions Faridpur DSA.
Bangladesh Navy comprised with the highest number of 13 national players followed by Bangladesh Army with four players.  
Almost the national stars - like Jimmy, Chayan, Koushik, Sarwar, Krishna, Shitul, Pintu, Asharful, Rumman, Taposh, Asim Gope, Kamruzzaman Rana will play for Navy.     
The organisers also think that the national hockey championship would generate a spirit to the players and the fans ahead of the Asia Cup Hockey, Bangladesh will host the eight nations’ competition in November.
Abdus Sadeque, general secretary of BHF said, “We hope that the national championship will create hype among the hockey fans and obviously among the players.”
Khaja Rahmat Ullah, vice-president of the BHF replying to a query said that they will bring some changes with renovation the pitch and outfield and the floodlight would also be completed at the Maulana Bhashani Hockey Stadium. Rahmat Ullah said, “Right now we will have to install flood lights as the matches of Asia Cup will be held under flood light. Almost all the papers work has already been completed and the tender would be opened on April 30. The work order would be given by May 15 for setting the floodlight.”
“Besides the Flood light we will have some important works with the media facilities as the Star Sports will telecast live the competition, dressing rooms and other facilities will also be improved, otherwise we will not have further opportunity to host international tournament,” said Rahmat Ullah.

Navy to start as favourites

National Hockey kicks off today

ATN Bangla 31st National Gold Cup Hockey Championship will kick off today with four matches taking place in the opening day at the Maulana Bhashani Hockey Stadium. A total of 32 teams including 24 districts, two divisions, Dhaka Education Board, BKSP and four services teams are taking part in the national meet splitting into eight groups. Top of the each group will move into the second round while the first phase will take place in round robin league format and the second round will be knockout system. Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) detailed all in a press conference yesterday when they said that they will provide accommodation, daily allowance and one way conveyance to the participants from outside Dhaka. Meanwhile, ATN Bangla, a private Television channel, who has five years agreement of sponsorship of the National Hockey Championship for five years, this year made a Gold Cup. The champions of the National Championship will receive Taka 1,00000 besides the replica of the Gold Cup, runners-up Taka 50,000 and a trophy while the third placed team will get Taka 20,000. Mir Motahar Hossain, representative of the ATN Bangla informed that, the Gold Cup will be made of at least with ten grams gold and the replica will be given to the champions team, if any team will win the title three times in a row will have the real cup. Bangladesh Navy are the most favourites this year to lift the title surpassing the defending champions Faridpur DSA. Bangladesh Navy comprised with the highest number of 13 national players followed by Bangladesh Army with four players. Almost the national stars - like Jimmy, Chayan, Koushik, Sarwar, Krishna, Shitul, Pintu, Asharful, Rumman, Taposh, Asim Gope, Kamruzzaman Rana will play for Navy. The organisers also think that the national hockey championship would generate a spirit to the players and the fans ahead of the Asia Cup Hockey, Bangladesh will host the eight nations competition in November. Abdus Sadeque, general secretary of BHF said, We hope that the national championship will create hype among the hockey fans and obviously among the players. Khaja Rahmat Ullah, vice-president of the BHF replying to a query said that they will bring some changes with renovation the pitch and outfield and the floodlight would also be completed at the Maulana Bhashani Hockey Stadium. Rahmat Ullah said, Right now we will have to install flood lights as the matches of Asia Cup will be held under flood light. Almost all the papers work has already been completed and the tender would be opened on April 30. The work order would be given by May 15 for setting the floodlight. Besides the Flood light we will have some important works with the media facilities as the Star Sports will telecast live the competition, dressing rooms and other facilities will also be improved, otherwise we will not have further opportunity to host international tournament, said Rahmat Ullah.