First Division ‘a different experience’ for Usha

Usha Krira Chakra emerged as the unbeaten champions in the Green Delta Insurance First Division Hockey League with an 11-0 mauling of Dhaka Wanderers Club in their last fixture at the Maulana Bhashani Hockey Stadium yesterday.

Champions-elect Usha, who had already won the league with a match in hand after a 7-1 win against Hockey Dhaka United in the penultimate round, completed the formalities as they made a comeback to the Premier Division Hockey League from where they were relegated in the 2017-18 season for failure to turn up in the players' transfers window due to a disagreement with the federation.

The 2023 season of the First Division Hockey League was the first since 2018, and four-time champions Usha finally got their chance after a gap of four years to get back to the top flight.

"It was a different experinece for Usha KC, who usually played the Premier Division Hockey League because our target was to become champions to move to the Premier Division. Besides, there were not many quality players in the lower league to form a strong team. So, we emphasised first on forming a good team with the combination of a few experienced players, who once played in the Premier Division, and foreign players," coach Mamunur Rashid told The Daily Star after the match.

"To be honest, we are ahead of others in terms of tactical aspects as well as the fitness of the players, and we achieved the target," added Mamun whose side struck 77 goals and conceded only eleven in 10 matches.