Team BJMC opt out of c’ship league

Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) has recently withdrawn its football team from the upcoming Bangladesh Championship League, the second-tier professional football league, citing financial constraints.

Team BJMC returned to top-fight football in the 2011-12 season after being relegated from the second division in 1982. Team BJMC played in the Bangladesh Premier League for seven successive seasons before being relegated to Bangladesh Championship League last year.

"In line with a decision of board of directors on April 20, 2019, it is not possible for Team BJMC to take part in Bangladesh Championship League due to financial crisis. The activities of BJMC football team can be resumed from the next season, subject to availability of sponsors," said a BJMC letter signed by Mohammad Nasimul Islam, director general of BJMC.

BJMC placed the letter to Bangladesh Football Federation on February 10, the day the inter-club players' transfer for 13-team Bangladesh Championship League got underway.

Not only the football team, BJMC is set to terminate temporary contracts with nearly 250 athletes who have been representing the company in different disciplines as part of its decision to terminate temporary contracts of some 1800 employees.