Hasina says Chittagong Abahani created history in Bangladesh football

Chittagong Abahani has opened a new chapter in Bangladesh football by beating Kolkata’s East Bengal to win the Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said.

She hoped football will become more popular in Bangladesh after this victory.
 
She said these while congratulating the players and officials through a video conference from her residence Ganabhaban after the final match on Friday.
 
“Chittagong is a historic place. Chittagong has created a new history in football through this victory,” she said.
 
“This victory of Chittagong Abahani in the international level is a glory for the entire Abahani family,” she added.
 

The prime minister also said, “I think this is a new milestone in football. Football will become more popular in Bangladesh. The players will play better from now on.”

She watched the match at Ganabhaban’s banquet hall where several ministers, current and former chairmen of Abahani Limited, and former players were present.

Hasina’s Deputy Press Secretary Ashraful Alam said she announced Tk 100,000 award for each players of Chittagong Abahani.

The prime minister also greeted runners-up East Bengal and the spectators.

The tournament is named after her slain brother Sheikh Kamal who founded Abahani Krira Chakra in Dhaka after independence.

“Sheikh kamal himself was a sportsman. The Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and my grandfather Sheikh Lutfar Rahman also played football,” Hasina said.