Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra became the second top-flight club, after Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, to complete the inter-club players’ registration procedure when they completed the formalities yesterday afternoon at the BFF House. With seven national footballers at their disposal, Sheikh Russel, on paper at least, appear the most likely to pose the strongest challenge to defending champions Sheikh Jamal DC.
The club’s players, coaches and officials arrived at the BFF House yesterday and the traditional horse-and-cart music exhibition spoke volumes of Sheikh Russel’s spirit. A determined Sheikh Russel are focused to put up an encouraging performance in the upcoming season after a below-par display last season when they finished sixth in the Bangladesh Premier Football League.
With financial assistance from new sponsor Bashundhara Group, the former treble winners recruited six top-notch local players from Mohammedan – Jahid Hasan Emily, Zahid Hossain, Hemanta Vincent Biswas, Yusuf Sifat, Mamun Khan and Tapu Barman – and five from Abahani Limited – Wali Faisal, Nazrul, Bhasani, Jamal, Shahed and Atiqur Rahman Meshu.
Sheikh Russel submitted a list of 29 footballers yesterday, including two foreigners – Nigerian striker Kingsley Chigozie and Serbian defender Bojan Petric. Among these 29 players, as many as 20 are new recruits.
The club are now aiming to forget the bitter memories of last season when they finished a staggering 32 points behind eventual champions Sheikh Jamal.
“The result was not satisfactory for us in the previous season. This time we are determined to deliver better, positive and beautiful football. We have tried to form a quality squad which will fight for the title. Like the 2012-13 season when we won the treble, we want to win silverwares this time as well,” said Ismat Jamil Akanda, director in charge of Sheikh Russel, yesterday.
Dragan Djukanovic, the Montenegrin coach of Sheikh Russel, termed the forthcoming season as the dawn of a bright future and is optimistic about his side’s chances in the upcoming season. “We must work harder to know each other. I hope this season will be much better for Sheikh Russel in Bangladesh football. This team is looking into the future,” said Djukanovic yesterday.