Dhaka, March 17 (BDNEWS) – The Independence Day Gold Cup Football tournament commences Friday at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
Mohammedan SC will take on Arambagh KS in the opening match at 4:00 pm while Muktijoddha Sangsad KC play against Sheikh Russel KC in the day's second match at 6:00pm.
The tournament, sponsored by the Liberation War Affairs Ministry and Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad, is organised by Bangladesh Football Federation to pay respect martyrs, and freedom fighters of Liberation War.
"We will try to hold the tournament in a broader aspect with the participation of foreign teams from the next year," State Minister for the Liberation War Affairs Professor Rezaul Karim told newsmen Thursday.
Bangladesh Football Federation vice presidents Sirajul Islam Bachchu, Abdur Rahim, Munir Ahmed, its general secretary Anwarul Haq Helal, deputy general secretary Manzoor Hossain Malu, treasurer Shah Alam Chowdhury were present on the occasion.
Tournament secretary Manzoor Hossain Malu said, "Bangladesh Football Federation will soon come into a agreement with the Liberation War Affairs Ministry and Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad to give a permanent shape to the tournament."
Water Resources Minister Hafiz Uddin Ahmed MP will inaugurate the tournament while Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia will distribute trophies on concluding day.
Ministers informed they would arrange two friendly matches before semi-finals and final.
The freedom fighters, Members of Parliament and the members of the Swadhin Bangla Football team will play a 30-minute match before the final on March 28 while another same duration match between actors and journalists will be held on March 25 before both the semi finals.
The champions will receive TK 2 lakh with a replica trophy, the runners-up will earn Tk 1 lakh with a trophy and all eight participating teams will receive Tk 50,000 each as participation money. Except prizes, Ministry will provide all the expenses of the tournament.
A total of eight teams -– six from premier division football league and champions and runners up of the first division football league – splitting into two groups will take part in the meet.
Two top teams of each group will play the semifinals after competing group matches.
BFF fixed the rate of ticket Tk 20 for gallery and Tk 50 for VIP and two matches will be held every day.
BFF officials, guests, sports journalists and photo journalists observed a one-minute silence in memory of Pushkin, organiser and Bangladesh Hockey Federation joint secretary, who died of brain haemorrhage Wednesday.
BDNEWS/ 1915 hrs
