SYLHET, Sept 30 (UNB): Sylhet is ready to host the 5th version of the six-nation prestigious Bangabandhu Gold Cup International Football Tournament beginning on Monday at 25,000 capacity Sylhet District Stadium, first of its kinds outside the capital.
Hosts Bangladesh will play Laos in the opening match at 6:30 pm (local time).
Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith is expected to inaugurate the meet in the evening. President of Bangladesh Football Federation Kazi Mohammad Salahuddin will preside over the opening ceremony.
The group matches of the 12-day of the heavy weight International Football Tournament of the country will be held in Sylhet, later it will be also held at two other venues-Bir Shrestha Ruhul Amin Stadium in Cox's Bazar and Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka.
Six teams-split into two groups-- will initially compete in the first phase in Sylhet from October 1-6 at 6:30 pm.
Participating teams are
Group A: Holders Nepal, Palestine and Tajikistan
Group B: Laos, Philippines and hosts Bangladesh.
Later, top two teams from each of two groups will play in the semifinals in Cox's Bazar on October 9 and 10 and the final match billed for October 12 at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to be the chief guest in the final on October 12 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka.
BFF member and President of Sylhet District Football Association Mahiuddin Ahmed Salim disclosed the details of the preparations and arrangements to host the six first phase matches of the prestigious meet in the holy city at the press conference at the Sylhet District Sports Association Bhaban Sunday afternoon.
He said the football fans who will watch the games at the stadium will be awarded with attractive prizes in every matches by Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) and the meet's sponsor K-Sports.
The rate of daily gallery ticket is fixed at Taka 50.
Meanwhile, all the four foreign teams-Laos, Tajikistan, Philippines and Palestine-are already reached Sylhet to participate in the six-nation meet.
Defending champions and Himalayan nation Nepal reached Dhaka on Sunday.
Team officials of Laos, Philippines, Palestine and Bangladesh addressed the press this afternoon at Hotel Star Pacific in Sylhet.
Bangladesh is the first team to reach Sylhet Friday afternoon to participate in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup, named after Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibar Rahman.
The Laos team, which arrived in Dhaka Friday evening, reached Sylhet Saturday afternoon to play the inaugural match with hosts Bangladesh.
Two other foreign teams-the Philippines and Tajikistan--arrived in Dhaka on Saturday and reached Sylhet on the same day.
Palestine also arrived in Sylhet Sunday afternoon.
Players of Bangladesh team: Ashraful Islam Rana, Anisur Rahman, Rasel Mahmud, (Goal Keeper), Bishwanath Ghosh, Tutul Hossain Badsha, Topu Barman, Waly Faisal, Rahmat Miah, Yeasin Khan, (Defender), Mamunul Islam Mamun, Atiqur Rahman Fahad, Jamal Bhuiyan, Masuk Miah Zoni, Biplo Ahmed, Emon Mahmud (Mid-Fielder), Rabiul Hasan, Jafar Iqbal, Mohammad Ibrahim (Winger), Mahbubur Rahman Sufil, Nabib Newaz Jibon, Towhidul Alam Sabuz, Motin Miah and Jabed Khan (Forward).
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