The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sports Reporter

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF ) announced on Wednesday the 18-member Bangladesh National Footdall team, which will take part in the ensuing Third Grand Royal Challenge Cup scheduled to be held in Myanmar from November 11 to November 21.

Nokia, a leading mobile phone manufacturer company will sponsor Bangladesh National Football team during the football meet. Nokia has given TK 12 lakh to Bff to promote the National Football team. Nokia and BFF signed an agreement for this purpose.

Marking the sponsorship, a press conference was held at the Bangladesh Football Federation House on Wesnesday.

President of Bangladesh Football Federation Kazi Salauddin, Senior Vice-President of BFF Abdus Salam Murshedi, Vice-President of the federation Badal Roy, Managing Director of Nokia Prem Chand, Head of Marketing of Nokia Noufel Anwar, Coach of Bangladesh National Football team Shafiqul Islam Manik were present, among others.

Kazi Salauddin said, "We hope Bangladesh Football team will bring bright future from Myanmar. It is my pleasure that Nokia is with us. It is not for money but Nokia is a brand which is known all over the country. I hope Nokia will continue their partnership with BFF for a long time."

Prem Chand said, "I am delighted to be present here. We always promote premium sports. We are the best brand and I am excited that a good change has been done in BFF recently. We are not only sponsoring the team but also we will give incentive to the players if they perform satisfactory in the upcoming football tournament.

Our brand is a successful brand and we hope that the National Football team will also bring success. We want to go through the grass rout level of bangladesh's football. Football is in my heart and we wish every success in Myanmar."

Shafiqul Islam Manik said, "Our target is to show consistent performance. We selected the players of the National team on the basis of discipline, commitment and performance."

A total of six teans splitting into two groups are taking part in the Third Grand Royal Challenge Cup.

Host Myanmar, Bangladesh, Indonesia have been pencilled in Group A while Vietnam, Hyundai FC, Malaysia have been billed in Group B.

Bangladesh will take on Myanmar on November 11.

Bangladesh will meet Indonesia on November 13.

The champions of the Group A will face the runners-up of the Group B in the first semifinal on Novenber 18 while the champions of the Group B will take on the runners-up of Group A in the second semifinal on November 19.

The winners of the two semifinals will face each other in the final on November 21.

Bangladesh team will leave the city for Myanmar on November 9.

Bangladesh squad: Motiur Munna (captain), Aminul Haq, Biplob Bhattacharya, Rajani Kanta Barman, Mohammad Sujan (vice captain), Wali Faisal, Ariful Islam, Kazi Nazrul Islam, Enamul Haq Sharif, Kazi Mozammel Hossain Saikat, Mamunul Islam Mamun, Zahid Hasan Emily, Mohammad Robin, Zahid Hossain, Arman Aziz, Alfaz Ahmed, Atiqur Rahman Mishu and Zahed Pervez Chowdhury.

Officials - Badal Roy (manager), Shafiqul Islam Manik (coach), Golam Rabanni Chhoton (assistant coach), Mahfuz Ullah Chisty (team doctor) and Ahmed Syed Al Fatah (media manager).