Sports Reporter :
India will take on Japan in the opening match of the Hero Aisa Cup Hockey at the Moulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium today. The match begins at 3.00 pm (Bangladesh Time).
Minister for Planning AHM Mustafa Kamal will formally open the gala extravaganza as the chief guest at 2.30 pm. Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports Arif Khan Joy, President of Bangladesh Hockey Federation and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Abu Esrar, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Asian Hockey Federation Tayeb Ikram will be present at the time.
In the day’s other match, hosts Bangladesh will face Pakistan at 5.30 pm at the same venue.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Hockey Federation is prepared to stage the Asia Cup Hockey, the most prestigious hockey meet of this continent. Sports Ministry and National Sports Council provided floodlight to stage the twelve-day long meet smoothly.
A total of eight teams splitting into two groups will compete in the mega hockey event.
Hosts Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Japan are in Pool-A, while Malaysia, Korea, China and Oman are in Pool-B.
Bangladesh will take on India in their second Pool-A match at 5.30 pm at the same venue on October 13, and face Japan in their third Pool-A match at 3.00 pm at the same venue on October 15.
Captain of Bangladesh team Russell Mahmud Jimmy said, ” Our target is to perform well. After 32 years, the Asia Cup Hockey is going to held in Dhaka. We want to show better brand of hockey in our home soil.”
The final will be held at the same venue on October 22.
