The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh national hockey team leaves here for Singapore Thursday night to take part in the 3rd Men's AHF Cup Hockey.

Bangladesh will compete in the qualifying round of the Asia Cup Hockey to be held in Singapore June 14-22 eyeing for the title of the nine-team Championship.

Bangladesh team is yet to get visa from the Singapore Embassy here, but have been assured of visa Thursday morning to fly for Singapore the same night.

General Secretary of Bangladesh Hockey Federation Sajed AA Adel told UNB, "We are expecting visa today (Thursday) morning, and I hope our team will fly the same night."

"We are very lucky this time that the flight schedule of Bangladesh Biman has been rescheduled for Thursday night (12:00 hrs) changing its morning schedule (10:30 am). This gives us an opportunity to fly the same night," he added.

Dhaka Bank Limited, who signed a deal with Hockey Federation recently to be the "partner in progress" of Bangladesh Hockey for one year, also sponsored the national team's trip to Singapore providing Tk 20 lakh of the estimated cost of Tk 24 lakh.

Earlier, President of Bangladesh Hockey Federation and Air Force Chief Air Marshall SM Ziaur Rahman at a press conference on Monday expressed his determination saying, "Our team will go for the championship."

He had said, "I hope Bangladesh will be the champions, at least they finish runners-up in the meet."

Bangladesh have been placed in Pool A of the Asia Cup Hockey with hosts Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Uzbekistan and Brunei Darussalam while Pool B team comprises Hong Kong, Sri Lankan, Oman and Thailand.

Bangladesh will play Brunei Darussalam on June 14, Chinese Taipei on June 15, Sinapore on June 18 and Uzbekistan on June 18.

Of the nine teams taking part in the meet, four will qualify for the Asia Cup Hockey.

Bangladesh Squad: Mahbub Ullah Shakil,, Mehrab Hossain Kiron, Mamunur Rahman Chayan, Isa Mia, Asaduzzaman Chandan, Moshiur Rahman Biplob, Ferdous Goldar, Shahidullah Titu, Musa Mia, Kh. Hasan Ahmed, Sheikh Mohammad Nannu, Maksud Alam Habul, Russell Mahmud Jimmy, Zahidul Islam Rajan, Rimon Kumar Ghosh and Krishna Kumar.

Team Officials: Kamrul Islam Kismat, (manager), Shahidullah Dolon (assist. Manager), Mahbub Harun (coach), Barkat Ullah Chapal (assist. Coach), Mirza Farad Ahmed (judge) and Mahbubul Haq Mitu (umpire).