BFF seek AFC’s assistance to regularise Bangabandhu Cup

In a bid to make the Bangabandhu International Cup football tournament an annual event, Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) is trying to include the competition in Asian Football Confederation’s yearly calendar. The tourney is expected to kick-off at the end of September or in the first week of October with the participation of at least six and maximum eight countries. BFF president Kazi Salahuddin headed for Malaysia yesterday to hold talks regarding the tournament with AFC, where he will also ask for their assistance. Salahuddin earlier, revealed the names of the probable participant countries to be Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Malaysia, Thailand, India and Iran. The last time BFF hosted an international meet by itself was the same Bangabandhu Cup back in 1996. Since then the football federation held many international meets, but they were all affiliated with Fifa, AFC or Saff. Meanwhile, Bangladesh will begin a month-long preparation camp from July 1.