The Federation Cup Football Tournament, the season's curtain raiser soccer meet, will begin on February 16 (Monday) at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the city, reports UNB.
Defending champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club will face Soccer Club Feni in the opening match at 4:00 pm while Dhaka Mohammedan Sporting Club will meet Rahmatganj MFS in the day's other fixture at 6:00 pm.
A total of 12 teams-all the 11 teams of Premier Division Football League with Uttar Baridhara Club of Bangladesh Championship league-split into four groups, will initially compete in the first phase from February 16-22.
The groupings and fixture of the tournament were finalised Thursday (Thursday) at a ceremonial draw at the conference room of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) in the city.
BFF senior Vice-President and chairman of the Professional Football League Committee Abdus Salam Murshedy was the chief guest at the ceremony.
Salam Murshedy appreciated the performance of the Bangladesh team in the just concluded Bangabandhu Gold Cup Football Tournament and thanked all concerned for their support in the successful holding of the tournament.
After the Bangabandhu Gold Cup, the FIFA ranking of Bangladesh jumped to 157th place from previous 165.
Deputy Chairman of the Professional Football League Committee Abdur Rahim and BFF General Secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag were, among others, present on the occasion.
Participating teams:
Group A - Sheikh Jamal DC, Team BJMC and Soccer Club, Feni
Group B - Muktijoddha Sangsad KC, Sheikh Russell KC and Uttar Baridhara
Group C - Dhaka Abahani Ltd, Chittagong Abahani Ltd and Farashganj SC
Group D - Dhaka Mohammedan SC, Brothers Union Club and Rahmatganj MFS
Later, two top teams from each of the four groups will play in the quarter-finals from February 24-27. The two semifinals will be held on March 1 and 2 while the final match will be held on March 5.
A budget of Tk 5.0 million (50 lakh) has been earmarked for the tournament.
The champion team will receive Tk 500,000 while the runners-up will get Tk 300,000 as prize money. Besides, all the participating teams will get appearance money of Tk 100,000 each.
The rate of tickets, tournament sponsor and media partner are yet to be decided.
Fixture of first round:
Feb 17: Muktijoddha SKC vs Uttar Baridhara (4:00 pm)
Dhaka Abahani vs Farashganj SC (6pm)
Feb 18: Team BJMC vs Soccer Club, Feni (4:00 pm)
Brothers Union vs Rahmatganj MFS (6:00 pm)
Feb 19: Sheikh Russell KC vs Uttar Baridhara (4:00 pm)
Ctg Abahnai vs Farashganj SC (6:00 pm)
Feb 20: Sheikh Jamal DC vs Team BJMC (4:00 pm)
Mohammedan SC vs Brothers Union (6:00 pm)
Feb 22: Muktijoddha SKC vs Sheikh Russel (4:00 pm)
Dhaka Ahabani vs Chittagong Abahani (6:00 pm)
