Dhaka, July 9 (bdnews24.com) - The Federation Cup qualifiers will start from July 25 in the capital with 11 teams participating in the qualifying round.
The season's curtain-raiser tournament was originally planned from July 31, but it has been brought forward following the qualifying round so that the meet could be completed before the start of B. League scheduled for later part in August.
A draw for the qualifying 11 teams was held Wednesday at the Bangladesh Football Federation and the teams divided into Groups A, B and C will play the round-robin league matches. Five teams will qualify for the 16-team finals.
The venue is yet to be finalised, but the qualifiers may take place at Bangladesh Army Stadium, said BFF senor vice president Salam Murshedi.
The champions and runners-up from both Group A and B and the Group C champions will join 11 teams of the professional football league in the finals.
The Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan (BKSP) team have been drawn in Group A along with Jatrabari KC, Bangladesh Police and Diganta Prasari of Rajshahi.
Group B consists of Victoria SC, Bangladesh Navy, Dhaka Wanderers Club and Bangladesh Air Force while Group C includes Bangladesh Army, Sunrise SC and Bangladesh Custom Krira Parisad.
Tournament member secretary Fazlur Rahman Babul and representatives from all 11 qualifying teams were present during the draw ceremony.
The BFF Wednesday also announced its seven standing committees.
Manzoor Hossain Malu was made chairman of the nine-member Dhaka Metropolis Football League Committee while former national footballer Khurshid Alam Babul was named chairman of the nine-member Futsal Committee.
Former BFF general secretary Anwarul Haq Helal was made head of the five-member Finance Committee while Akhter Hossain Khan was named chairman of the Players' Status Committee.
Veteran Bashir Ahmed will lead the nine-member Referees Committee while Mejbah Uddin will be chairman of the four-member Disciplinary Committee.
Prof Dr M Faruque R Awlad was made chairman of the nine-member Medical Committee.
bdnews24.com/ar/ja/2105 hrs
