Organisers lament lack of sponsors, local broadcasters

The local organising committee of the Hero Asian Champions Trophy, the biggest hockey competition of the continent starting in Dhaka today, have expressed their frustration over the lack of interest from the sponsors and local broadcasters to promote the event.

The five-nation tournament featuring Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Japan and Korea kicks off at the Maulana Bhashani Hockey Stadium today, with two matches scheduled for the opening day.

The organisers have allowed ticket-free entry to spectators at the general galleries and accreditation cards for VIPs at the VIP galleries and hospitality boxes so that people can enjoy the games from close up. During the trophy unveiling ceremony in presence of five captains on Monday, the local organising committee chief Abdur Rashid Shikdar, vice president of Bangladesh Hockey Federation, could not hide his frustration at the lack of interest regarding this event.

"This is the biggest hockey tournament ever to be hosted by Bangladesh. It was difficult to arrange as we had to defer the event a couple of times due to Covid. But it is here and we want people to watch the event from the galleries and in front of the TV sets. However, we are disappointed with the interest of sponsors and TV channels," Shikdar told reporters.

The BHF official said that this tournament is an ideal opportunity for the Bangladesh players to rub shoulders against the best hockey players from the continent which they do not often get, even when playing in Asia Cup. So he wished that local sponsors and TV channels could still come forward and encourage the federation and the players.

"We have not yet got any proposal from local sponsors. No local TV channel will telecast the matches. Only Star Sports will telecast the matches, but as you know, the pay channel is not available to many people of the country. But we want our people to watch these matches," Shikdar said.