The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The Protiti Pharma Victory Day Club Cup Football Tournament, organised by Dhaka Mohammedan SC, begins today (Wednesday) at 6 pm at the Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS).

Special Assistant to Chief Adviser Mahbub Jamil will formally inaugurate the meet as chief guest.

The tournament, earlier scheduled to begin on Saturday (Jan 26, was deferred by the organisers by four days due to inclement weather.

Various socio-cultural organisations will put up colourful display prior to the opening match between popular Abahani Limited and Badda Jagarani Sangsad.

Private satellite channel ATN Bangla will telecast live the opening ceremony and four matches -- Abahani Limited vs Muktijoddha Sangsad KC, two semi-finals and the final.

On the eve of the meet, tournament organisers Mohammedan SC arranged a 'ball-signing ceremony' at the club premises today (Tuesday) with the participation of former national players. Later, the signed balls will be distributed among some lucky spectators.

Tournament committee chairman Zakaria Pintu, former national team captain Kaiser Hamid, and former national players Nakib Ahmed, Rumman Bin Wali Sabbir and Abdus Salam Morshedi, among others, were present at the ball-signing ceremony.

Eight metropolis clubs split, into two groups, are taking part in the tournament. Participating clubs: Dhaka Mohammedan SC, Arambagh KS, Victoria SC and Youngmen's Club Fakirerpool (group A); and Dhaka Abahani Limited, Muktijoddha Sangsad KC, Dhaka Wanderers Club and Badda Jagarani Sangsad (group B).

Rate of ticket for VIP enclosure has been fixed at Tk 100, west gallery Tk 30 and east gallery Tk 20. Tickets will be available at the stadium counters on the match day.

However, school children showing their ID cards will be given free entry for the east gallery.

Partial fixture:

Jan 31: Arambahg KS vs Victoria SC 3 pm at BNS

Muktijoddha SKC vs Dhaka Wanderers Club 5 pm at BNS

Feb 1: Mohammedan SC vs Youngmen's Club 5 pm at BNS

Feb 2: Muktijoddha SKC vs Badda Jagarani 3 pm at BNS

Abahani Limited vs Dhaka Wanderers Club 5 pm at BNS

Feb 3: Arambahg KS vs Youngmen's Club 3 pm at BNS

Mohammedan SC vs Victoria SC 5 pm at BNS

Feb 4: Badda Jagarani vs Dhaka Wanderers Club 3 pm at BNS

Abahani Limited vs Muktijoddha SKC 5 pm at BNS

Feb 5: Victoria SC vs Youngmen's Club 3 pm at BNS

Mohammedan SC vs Arambagh KS 5 pm at BNS.