The Shahjalal Islami Bank Faraaz Gold Cup Inter University Football tournament 2018 is set to begin on Wednesday. The tournament is being held for the second time in memory of Late Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain who was among the 20 hostages killed during the 12-hour long Gulshan cafe siege on July 1, 2016.
A press conference was held to launch the logo of the tournament and share tournament details with the media, in Dhaka on Tuesday.
A total of 20 private universities divided into eight groups will participate in the tournament this year. Fareast International University will take on ULAB in the opening game at the Bangabandhu National Stadium. State University will face AIUB and Bangladesh University will lock horns with Atish Dipanker University in the morning matches.
State Minister for Youth and Sports Biren Sikder will be present as the chief guest to inaugurate the tournament at Bangabandhu Stadium in the evening. Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Youth and Sports and former Bangladesh booter Arif Khan Joy; Secretary of Ministry of Youth and Sports Asadul Islam; elder brother to late Faraaz, Ayaat Hossain; and Shajalal Islami Bank chairman Akkas Uddin Molla will also be present at the opening ceremony.
The champion team of the tournament will be awarded Taka 200,000 while the runners-up will earn Taka 100,000. The player of the tournament, best goalkeeper and the highest scorer in the tournament will also be rewarded.