National hockey tournament kicks off November 5

ATN Bangla Gold Cup National Hockey Tournament will begin November 5 at the Maulana Bhashani Hockey Stadium in the city, reports UNB.

In the opening match Bangladesh Air Force will take on Comilla District team at 11:05 am. ATN Bangla will telecast the inaugural match live.

In the other opening day's fixture, Chittagong District will meet Habiganj District at 1:30 pm while Mymensingh district will face Patuakhali district at 3:15pm at the same venue.

A total of 23 teams from academic institutions, services teams, district teams will take part in the 30th edition of the national hockey event.

Four top teams of the 8th Bangladesh Games, -- Army, Faridpur, BKSP and Dhaka-will play directly in the 10 teams' final round while the other 19 teams, split into six groups, will fight to book a seat.  Six group champions will qualify for the final round.

The qualifying round matches will take place at Dhaka and Rajshahi venues.