The season's curtain raiser soccer meet, the Walton 28th Federation Cup Football Tournament, begins today (Thursday) at the Bangabandhu National Stadium with Dhaka Abahani Limited taking on Rahmatganj MFS in the opening match that will kick off at 3:45 pm, reports UNB.
Star-studded Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club will play Uttar Baridhara Club in the other opening day's fixture at 6:00 pm at the same venue.
A total of 12 teams-ten from Bangladesh Premier Division League, one from Bangladesh Championship League and one from play-off match -- split into four groups will compete in the tournament with Walton as the title sponsor.
State-owned Bangladesh Television (BTV) is likely to telecast live four quarterfinal and two semifinal matches, and the final match.
Amber Group, DBL Group and Pragati Insurance Company also came forward to be the co-sponsors while Aamra has been named as ISP Partner of the meet.
BFF senior vice president and chairman of the professional football league committee Abdus Salam Murshedy introduced the co-sponsors of the meet at a function at the BFF House Wednesday.
Additional Director of the meet's title sponsor Walton FM Iqbal bin Anwar Dawn, Abdul Wahed of DBL Group, Zafar Sadeque of Pragati Insurance Company, Akhteruzzaman of Amber Group, and BFF General Secretary Abu Nayem Shohag also spoke on the occasion. Brand Ambassador of Walton Zobera Rahman Linu was present.
Participating teams:
Group A: Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, Soccer Club, Feni, Uttar Baridhara.
Group B: Sheikh Russell KC, Muktijoddha SKC, Chittagong Abahani Ltd Group C: Team BJMC, Brothers Union Club, Bangladesh Police Group D: Dhaka Abahani Ltd, Dhaka Mohammedan SC, Rahmatganj MFS.
Two top teams from each of the group will play in the quarterfinals on November 28-December 1. The semifinal matches will be held on December 3 and 4 while the final match on December 6.
The champions will receive prize money of Tk 500,000 while the runners-up will get Tk 300,000. Rate of gallery ticket for the meet has been fixed at Tk 20 while VIP ticket at Tk 50 each.
