The secret to Kings’ domestic success

Though promoted football clubs usually struggle to survive in country's top-tier football league, Bashundhara Kings have bucked the trend and have made a piece of history too with a third consecutive Bangladesh Premier League title.

Having started their top-flight journey in 2018-19 season, Kings have already matched the success of Abahani, who had won the title three times in a row in the first three editions of the league.

What separated Kings from promoted clubs, according to the club's technical director BA Jubair Nipu, is the professionalism in managing players, no-interference from the management and inspiration and determination to achieve something big.

"The club president has been conducting Bashundhara Kings professionally and he makes no interference in technical matters, unlike other clubs. He has instructed the team management to make sure no player can raise complaints about anything. He always inspires players to reach their destination even in troubled times," Nipu told The Daily Star.

Money, undoubtedly, has been a big factor behind the success of Kings, who have signed most of the national team players with big offers alongside from spending huge sums on foreign recruits.

Photo: Firoz Ahmed

"The president even announced bonus without any reason during international competitions. So the players are always eager to perform," said Nipu, who has been with Kings since their debut season.

Captain Tapu Barman echoed the sentiment of the technical director and shed light on aspects which worked behind their success.

"Why do most players want to play for Bashundhara Kings? The answer is money. Bashundhara Kings paid 100 per cent of payment as per contract before the end of the season. This boosts the players mentally," Tapu told The Daily Star.

"Actually good planning helped Bashundhara Kings win three titles in a row. The club management has the ability to bring out the best from the players by motivating them in different ways. The players can preserve same level of energy and strength till the end of the season because of proper diet and good training facilities. The coaching staff help the players stay injury-free round the year, so they can perform at any time," explained Tapu, who joined the outfit in 2019-20 season from Abahani.

"For instance, it is must for every Kings player to have protein shake after training, but I always used to buy it with my own money while playing for other clubs," Tapu said. "This season was really tough for us because we lost the Independence Cup to Abahani and two players, including myself, were ruled out of the season due to injury. Kings also started the league with a defeat against Swadhinata KS, so it was really tough to bounce back in the league but the players showed their character in rest of the season and the management backed them in different ways including announcing big bonuses for some crucial matches."

The national team defender also informed that they were waiting for a big bonus for clinching the ha-trick league title as the club management has promised to clear it before their next match against Abahani. The club is also preparing to celebrate their latest success after that match at the Bashundhara Kings area.