The number of participating teams and budget have increased in the season opening Federation Cup, but the prize money has decreased as the 13-team tournament gets underway Saturday at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka.
Runners-up in the last edition, Chittagong Abahani will face off against Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society in the tournament opener at 5pm.
Channel 9 will telecast all the games live.
The budget increased to Tk50 lakhs but the champion’s prize money decreased from Tk6 lakhs last year to Tk5 lakhs while the runners-up side will pocket Tk3 lakhs, also Tk1 lakh less than last year.
The season opening Federation Cup will kick off with the Group A match between Chittagong Abahani Limited and Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka Saturday.https://t.co/QBwh7wyKkt#BFF #FOOTBALL #BANGLADESH #BANGLADESHFOOTBALL #FEDERATIONCUP
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) October 22, 2018
Each participating team will get Tk2 lakhs.
The Federation Cup champion will qualify for the prestigious AFC Cup, as opposed to the previous times when they used to advance to the pre-qualifiers.
The clubs require licensing to play in the AFC Cup, but only Abahani Limited, Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra, Saif Sporting Club and Bashundhara Kings have the necessary requirements among the 13 teams.
If any team outside the quartet win the Federation Cup then they will not be eligible to play in the AFC Cup.
