The International Trade Holding Company (ITHC) of Kuwait came forward to support Bangladesh Football Federation for the improvement of the game in the country including sponsoring the eight-nation Bangabandhu Gold Cup Football Tournament billed for next September.
The renowned Kuwaiti business house, ITHC that has expanded its business overseas will also support BFF to make a strong football team for Bangladesh as well as to play a key role for the development of country’s football.
BFF president Kazi M Salahuddin, who is also the president of SAFF, introduced their foreign sponsor at a press conference at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel in the on Sunday.
Salahuddin welcomed ITHC chairman Dr Hamad Al-Tuwajri in his first visit to Bangladesh and disclosed the Kuwaiti conglomerate’s involvement with Bangladesh Football.
“Dr Hamad is a great friend of Bangladesh and he is keen to help the development process of the Bangladesh football. I welcome him to the Bangladesh football arena. ITHC has agreed to sponsor the Bangabandhu Gold Cup Football and I hope, such support will be strengthened further,” he said.
“With the arrival of ITHC, a new door opened for Bangladesh Football. I hope this will also open the door for other foreign sponsors,” added the BFF president.
Addressing the newsmen, Dr Hamad said: “It’s my first visit to Bangladesh. I’m convinced to support Bangladesh football responding to an appeal by BFF president Salahuddin.”
“Bangladesh and Kuwait have a friendly relationship for nearly 40 years. I feel honoured to get involved with Bangladesh and particularly with Bangladesh football. We hope to build a sustainable relationship; we also have interest to assist the youth development,” he added,
Replying to a question, Dr Hamad said: “Our support to Bangladesh Football will continue in future; now we just opened the window.”
It was learnt that ITHC-Kuwait is initially providing US$ 100,000 for the development of Bangladesh football.
The details of the sponsorship deal will be announced later.
BFF vice presidents Kazi Nabil Ahmed and Tabith Awal, BFF women’s wing deputy chairman Mahfuza Akter Kiron and BFF general secretary Abu Naeem Shohag were present on the occasion.
A five-member delegation of ITHC, led by its chairman Dr Hamad, arrived in Dhaka on Saturday night on a daylong visit to Bangladesh.
ITHC, founded in 2001 by its Chairman and President Dr Hamad Al-Tuwajri, has been expanding its business in Kuwait and also overseas.
ITHC group comprises Movenpick Hotel- Kuwait; The Convention Centre and Royal Suites – Kuwait; Swiss-bel Hotel Plaza – Kuwait; United International Hotel Group – Kuwait, Lebanon, Philippines; TTC Group for General Trading and Contracting Company – Kuwait; and Advanced Construction General Trading.
