Virus containment and performance equally vital as BPL kicks off today

The Bangladesh Premier League is set to get underway today with participating clubs facing the additional challenge to keep players and supporting staff coronavirus-free during the lengthy league to keep performing well on the ground.

On the opening day of the 13-team league, defending champions Bashundhara Kings take on Uttar Baridhara Club at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Following a long coronavirus-induced break, domestic football returned last month through the Federation Cup. Despite the lack of proper preparation, most clubs had performed well with no team -- big or small -- going unchallenged in the league matches, which raises hopes of a competitive BPL.

Coaches, however, are a bit worried about the new challenge of keeping their players Covid-19 free and on the field in the hope of being in the title race. Six-time league champions Abahani are enduring tough times after five players tested positive during the Federation Cup.

"I think the management of Covid-19 is going to be an additional challenge during the long league, although everyone already has a clear idea of how to follow health guidelines the Federation Cup," said Sheikh Russel KC coach Saiful Bari Titu. "Players being infected with Covid-19 may reduce the strength of the clubs if they don't have a strong reserve bench. So, containing the virus during the league is as important as the performance on the ground."

Sheikh Jamal DC coach Shafiqul Islam Manik said, "Everything depends on the attitude of the players and support staff [about following health guidelines].

"During the short Federation Cup, we could manage it well but we are in doubt about maintaining it during the long league because we have to travel outside Dhaka [Cumilla, Tongi and Munsighanj] to play matches and we don't know how the environment and management is there."

Apart from their existing Covid-19 concerns, Abahani's Portuguese coach Mario Lemos spoke about concerns over players' injury which has already weakened them ahead of their first match on Thursday.

"It is going to be tough because five players tested Covid-19 positive, two players -- Raihan Hasan and Masih Saighani -- are injured along with two suspended players. So, we are trying to find the solution," said Lemos. He also said instead of it being a two-way battle between Abahani and Bashundhara Kings, the likes of Sheikh Russel, Saif SC and Chattogram Abahani will also be hot contenders.

Echoing the sentiment, Bashundhara Kings' Spanish coach Oscar Bruzon said, "We are eager to compete so we will approach every game as if it is a final. The boys and the team remain hungry for more success.

"There are five-six teams initially that will contest for the BPL title. The league will favour the team performing well on a regular basis and we will get a clear idea of title contenders only after three to four months of competition," he added.

Saiful Bari Titu believes every team has signed up quality foreign players and it would not be wise to tag any team as small or big because every match will be tough for every club.

Zahidur Rahman Milon, coach of Uttar Baridhara Club, said, "There is a gulf of difference between big and small teams in terms of strength but the small teams, on the back of short preparation, are playing with a positive attitude, which is the main strength of the small teams."