The hockey clubs have again divided into two groups regarding possible incorporation of 'pool system' in the upcoming Premier Hockey League even though the governing body of the Bangladesh Hockey Federation last season promised to keep all players free for the transfer.
At the League Committee meeting yesterday, former national striker Rafiqul Islam Kamal, representative of Usha Krira Chakra, proposed to insert the pool system and former national midfielder Mahbubul Ehsan Rana, representative of Abahani, supported the proposal. But former national striker Ariful Haque Prince, representative of Mohammedan, strongly opposed the pool system and threatened to boycott the upcoming players' transfer as well as refrain from playing the league.
“Last season 11 players found no clubs due to the pool system and they finally joined Usha KC in negotiation with all clubs and as a secretary of the players' welfare association, I don't want the pool system this time,” said Mohammedan representative Prince after the meeting.
“The matter regarding the pool system has been referred to the governing body which will take the final decision on Thursday,” said League committee secretary Mohammad Yousuf Ali.
However, the meeting decided to start the three-day inter-club players' transfer from February 26 and begin the season through the Independence Cup from March 15 where all premier divisional clubs will be invited.
The Club Cup will start from April 7 while the Premier Division Hockey League will get underway from May 7.