Domestic Football Federation Cup Draw Announced with Dhaka Matches
Domestic football is set to return to Dhaka's national stadium after five years following the Federation Cup draw. Authorities announced plans to host six matches at the venue despite ongoing venue and administrative debates.
The draw for the domestic football Federation Cup has officially taken place, accompanied by a major announcement regarding the venues for the upcoming matches. According to the latest updates, games will be held across multiple locations, including Dhaka, Gopalganj, Manikganj, and Munshiganj. Most notably, officials have announced that six matches will be hosted at the national stadium in Dhaka.
This decision marks a significant milestone for local football enthusiasts, as it brings competitive domestic football back to the capital's national stadium after a hiatus of five years. However, the allocation of matches has also brought logistical details to light, specifically regarding the reigning champions and tournament venues. It has been confirmed that matches for the Federation Cup will not be assigned to the home ground of Bashundhara Kings.
The tournament groupings have also been finalized, dividing the participating clubs into two distinct pools. Group A features Abahani, Fortis FC, Rahmatganj, Brothers Union, Fakirerpool Young Men's Club, and Chattogram City FC. Meanwhile, Group B comprises Bashundhara Kings, Police FC, Mohammedan, PWD Sports Club, Arambagh Krira Sangha, City Club, and Dhaka Wanderers Club.
While initial announcements mentioned seven matches could potentially be played, organizers clarified that the exact determination of which specific games will take place at the venue depends entirely on the release of the official fixture list. The venue choice itself has drawn commentary from various stakeholders within the football community.
Imrul Hasan noted that the ground had previously been the subject of controversy, explaining that this step was taken specifically to avoid further disputes. Conversely, a club official raised concerns about dual roles, pointing out that Imrul Hasan serves both as a club president and the chairman of the league committee, remarking that this dynamic could create a lack of aesthetic governance and spark further controversy. When questioned by journalists regarding these overlapping responsibilities and ongoing debates, reporters asserted that the clubs themselves exist to raise such concerns through their respective representatives.
