Hosts gear up for Asia Cup

The Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium is gearing up for the Hero 10th Men's Asia Cup as Bangladesh hosts the apex hockey competition of the continent for just the second time, 32 years after hosting it for the first time in Dhaka.

The top eight teams of Asia – South Korea, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Japan, China, Oman and Bangladesh -- will vie for the title of the continental competition, to be played from October 11 to 22. All the matches will be telecast live on Star Network channels. 

Bangladesh had hosted this competition in 1985 on the grass surface of the Bangabandhu National Stadium, which at that time used to be known as the Dhaka Stadium. Although Bangladesh had managed to finish only sixth out of ten teams, they did put on some spirited performances including a victory over Iran, draws against China and Japan and a narrow defeat against eventual champions Pakistan. And those performances brought a revolution as far as local interest in the game is concerned.

While Bangladesh have failed to cash in on that interest, thanks to the national team not meeting expectations internationally and also due to the continuous infighting within the federation, the authorities this time are hoping that the hosting of such a prestigious event will provide the much-needed boost to what is regarded as the third-most popular team sport of the country.

As last-ditch preparations at the stadium take place, somewhat running against time, organisers hoped that the tournament will be a success, both in terms of organisation as well as on field performance.

“The last time when we hosted this event, the galleries at the stadium were full with people. Unfortunately people have lost that interest for various reasons. But we hope this tournament will once again create some buzz,” hoped Bangladesh Hockey Federation's (BHF) general secretary Abdus Sadeque during a press conference at the stadium yesterday.

“We have already completed the organisational work and we hope to complete the renovation and preparations by October 8 as the stadium will be handed over to the Asian Hockey Federation officials on the following day,” Mamunur Rashid, the tournament committee secretary, informed.  “The floodlights have already been installed while the giant screen, which will project the score as well as live broadcast, will be completed within two to three days. We will try to finish the other things within that time too.”

The organisers also informed that all the participating teams will arrive by October 8 and the teams will be accommodated at three hotels – Pan Pacific Sonargaon, Hotel Purbani and FARS Hotel. The Bangladesh team, which is currently in camp at the BKSP, will come to Dhaka tomorrow and will likely play a 40-minute practice match against Japan on either 8th or 9th October.

The press conference was attended, among others, by BHF vice presidents Shafiullah Al Munir, Abdur Rashid Shikdar, Khaza Rahmatullah and local sponsors First Security Islami Bank's senior vice president Shahazada Basunia.