The four-time Bangladesh Premier League champions Abahani Limited were pitted alongside Kolkata giants East Bengal, Pakistan Premier League champions Karachi Electric and hosts Chittagong Abahani in Pool B in the Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup. The draw ceremony and logo of the much anticipated tournament was unveiled through a press conference at a city hotel yesterday.
Meanwhile in Pool A, Dhaka powerhouse Mohammedan Sporting Club were drawn against their namesake Kolkata Mohammedan Sporting Club, Afghan Premier League champions De Spin Ghar Bazan and Sri Lanka Football Premier League champions Solid FC.
The 10-day tournament will kick-off from October 20 at Chittagong's MA Aziz Stadium with Dhaka Mohammedan taking on Solid FC in the inaugural game. Kolkata's Mohammedan will face De Spin Ghar Bazan later on the day.
“The biggest love of Sheikh Kamal's life was sports. He loved football, cricket and every other sport. He was also a great sport organiser. This tournament is a great tribute to Kamal. We will do everything from our side to make it a success,” said Bangladesh Football Federation president Kazi Salahuddin.
BFF's executive committee member Shamsul Haque shared that Chittagong Abahani was born in this month (October 11) in 1982 and staging such an event was always their wish. “It was our long time desire to organise an international tournament after the name of Abahani founder. We want to host this tournament every year,” he said.
Champions in the competition will receive 25,000 USD while the runners-up will bag 10,000 USD. It was also revealed that 1,000 USD will be awarded to the winning team in every match while on each match-day a lucky spectator will win a motorbike.
Chittagong City Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin, who is also the chairman of the organising committee, BFF vice-presidents Kazi Nabil Ahmed and Badal Roy were also present during the occasion.
