A large number of trophies of record Bangladesh Premier League champions Abahani Limited Dhaka were taken away from the club’s head office in the capital’s Dhanmondi area which was looted and vandalized soon after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government Monday afternoon.
“All the trophies of Abahani taken away,” Abahani general manager Subhash Shome told Dhaka Tribune Tuesday.
When asked about a number, he replied that the amount is around 400-500 trophies.
“Money, laptops, chairs, air conditioners, etc which can be sellable are also gone,” he added.
Seven rooms of the newly-built club office were wrecked.
The furnitures were found broken and shattered inside and outside the single-storied building during a visit Tuesday afternoon.
A club official who claimed to be present during the act of vandalism and looting said a group of 100 people came in motorcycles, while more from the field joined afterwards at around 5pm.
Founded by Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and brother of Sheikh Hasina, in 1972 as Abahani Krira Chakra, the club is the most successful in Bangladesh’s sporting history.
It has clinched the Dhaka League 11 times before the introduction of Bangladesh Premier League which the club won for record six times, apart from 12 Federation Cup titles.
In cricket too, since the Dhaka Premier League gained List A status, Abahani claimed the title for record five times.
They are current champions.
The club’s showcases were also filled with champions and runners-up trophies of premier division hockey league and other major tournaments.
Another BPL outfit Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club Limited’s office in the capital’s Dhanmondi area was also vandalized at around the same time.
Those present there said around 50 people caused the damage that included smashing the store room along with training and gym equipment.