MSCs, Abahanis in separate groups

Mohammedan Sporting Clubs of Dhaka and Kolkata were pitted in the same group while Abahanis of Dhaka and Chittagong were placed in the other group when the draw for the Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup was held at a hotel in Dhaka yesterday. The logo of the tournament, to be hosted by Chittagong Abahani from October 20 to 30 at the MA Aziz Stadium, was also unveiled during the program.

Drawn in Group B, the two Abahanis will also face Kolkata league champions East Bengal FC and Pakistan premier league champions Karachi Electric FC, while in Group A, the two Mohammedans will play against Afghan premier league champions De Spin Ghar Bazan FC and Sri Lankan premier league Champions Solid FC.

Even though the complete schedule of the tournament is yet to be released, it was disclosed that there will be 15 matches played in nine matchdays, with the group stages featuring two matches each in six matchdays.

The champions and runners-up teams will receive 25,000 dollars and 10,000 dollars respectively while winners of each match will receive 1000 dollars. There will also be rewards for the spectators, in the form of motorcycles, selected from lottery on entry tickets on each matchday, informed Tarafder Ruhul Amin, chairman of the football committee of Chittagong Abahani.

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) president Kazi Salahuddin hoped for a successful tournament, which has been named after the eldest son of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. “Sheikh Kamal was a sports lover and organiser. He loved football, cricket and all the other sports. I think this tournament is a perfect tribute to him,” said Salahuddin. The president of the standing committee for youth and sports, Zahid Ahsan Russel MP, mayor of Chittagong City Corporation, AZM Nasiruddin, and senior officials of BFF were also present in the program.