Tidbits
DIGITAL ADVERTISEMENT BOARD
The use of a digital advertisement board at stadiums during international tournaments or bilateral series has become the norm for cricket, however, the use of such devices during an international football event is an alien concept.
This year's Bangabandhu Gold Cup features such arrangements at the Sylhet District Stadium as K-Sports had determined that a digital advertisement board would be used in their bid to bring a new look to the football ground. The owner of K-Sports, Fahad Karim, claimed that the board cost seven crore taka.
MODERN TECHNOLOGY
People who will watch the matches live on television will also get a different perspective of the tournament as a total of 14 cameras will be used to provide better angles for the first time ever. One small camera was set up behind each of the two goalposts in order to get closer to the action when goals are scored, just like in the European leagues. In addition, viewers will have the chance to scrutinise every detail of play due to the introduction of an ultra-slow motion replay feature.
PARTLY EMPTY GALLERY
Spectators in Sylhet generally turn up in droves with huge enthusiasm whenever the city hosts international sporting events. They once even famously broke down the gate and fence to enter the Sylhet District Stadium, where a FIFA friendly between Bangladesh and Nepal was being held in 2014. Yesterday though, the South-East gallery of the ground remained empty. Sylhet District Football Association president Mohi Uddin Selim informed that they were told to handle publicity shortly before the tournament began and hence, they sold approximately three thousand tickets less than the stadium's capacity.
Not the same trophy
The Bangladesh Football Federation previously remained consistent with one aspect of the Bangabandhu Gold Cup; they awarded the winning teams of the 2015 and 2016 editions a trophy which was identical to the one used in the inaugural edition, built with 20 tolas of 24 carat gold and standing at 22 inches tall.
However, three years later in the fifth rendition of the tournament, that trophy has been replaced by a 27-inch version which varies greatly in form.
“Every detail related to this tournament was approved by the BFF. They approved this trophy and kept one replica in a bid to maintain it in the future,” said Fahad Karim, chief executive officer of K-Sports, the tournament's rights holder.
Comments