Hockey transfers begin today

The long-awaited transfer window for the Premier Division Hockey League opens today, after a gap of two years, with big clubs such as Mohammedan SC, Abahani, Usha KC and Mariner Youngs Club expected to make a splash.

These four clubs are expected to spend big to sign the national team players as well as those on the fringes of the national team in the window, which will close on Tuesday.

Most of the clubs have already confirmed their players, with the formalities of putting pen on paper to be completed during the three days.

The national team players have been divided into three grades -- A, B and C, with the A grade players scheduled to draw highest Tk 3 lakh each. The B grade players will receive Tk 2 lakh while the C grade players will get Tk 1.5 lakh, under this informal grading system.

Mohammedan, which is making its comeback after staying away from the domestic circuit for the last two years, are expected to sign A grade players such as Rasel Mahmud Jimmy, Kamruzzaman Rana, Imran Hossain Pintu and Zahid Hossain as well as 14 other players of some repute. A spokesman of the Motijheel outfit has claimed that they would mark their return and complete the transfer formalities in a grand manner.

The by-laws of the league allows five foreign players in each team, and Mohammedan are looking to bring in players from Pakistan and Malaysia while it is likely to appoint Pakistan's coach Mohammad Ali as coach.

Defending champions Abahani are expected to sign Ashim Gope, Khorshedur Rahman, Farhad Hossain Shitul as their A grade players, apart from a few players from the BKSP and some quality foreign players. National team coach Mahbub Harun is likely to stay as the coach of the Dhanmondi-based outfit.

Another big club, Usha, are believed to have received commitments from national team's Pushkor Khisha Mimo, Hasan Jubayer Niloy, Sarwar Hossain, Krishna Kumar, Emon, Naim, Ratul, Nippon. The club is expected to bring in foreign coaching staff.

Meanwhile, Mariners are looking to sign Rabbi Salhein, Mamunul Islam Chayan, Ashraful Islam, Rimon Hossain, Arshad and Koushik among the notable players apart from a few players from Pakistan.