Usha's relegation stayed

The Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) today stayed firm on their previous decision to relegate Usha Krira Chakra to the First Division Hockey League from Premier Division Hockey League following their absence in the top-flight league in the previous edition.

The Old Dhaka outfit, who did not take part in the 2018 premier league citing that they could not form a squad during the stipulated time of the players' transfers, were relegated to the First Division according to the bylaws. The then BHF executive committee also approved the 2018 league table by declaring Mohammedan SC champions and demotion of Usha KC to the First Division League.

Three-time club cup champions Usha KC, one of four giants in the hockey league, had earlier applied to the game's governing body for their promotion to the Premier Hockey League but the BHF executive committee remained firm on their initial decision after analysing all the previous documents.

"The BHF president did not want to compromise on the disciplinary issues as it would encourage other teams to breach the laws in future had the board taken Usha's application into consideration. So, the meeting decided not to consider Usha KC's application," said BHF vice president Zaki Ahmed Ripon after today's meeting at Falcon Hall in Tejgaon.

The decision of upholding the previous decision came nearly two weeks after the BHF compromised with disciplines by withdrawing the suspension on four officials of Mohammedan SC and Mariner Youngs Club.

Former league champions Usha KC had once skipped the premier hockey league in 2010 despite participating in the season's curtain-raising Club Cup and thus were relegated to the first division. However, Usha came back to the premier hockey league after filing a case against BHF's decision at a lower court.

In 2014, four clubs including Mohammedan SC and Mariner Youngs Club had skipped the Premier Hockey League opting to not play under the then general secretary Khaza Rahmatullah. All four clubs were supposed to be relegated to First Division in line with the bylaws but they played in the top-flight league in the following edition held in 2016.  The BHF officials claimed that the league table of the 2014 edition was not approved by either the league committee or the executive committee and four clubs took the opportunity to return to the premier hockey league following a reshuffle in the BHF committee.

The demotion of Usha KC means the upcoming premier hockey league will see only 12 teams participating in the league.

The BHF executive committee also decided to hold a tournament named President's Cup later this month with the participation of two U-21 national squads and services teams.

The meeting also asked the league committee to meet on Nov 12 to discuss the details of holding the Premier Hockey League.