The 20-team Shahjalal Islami Bank Faraaz Gold Cup Inter-University Football Tournament’ 2018, begins today (Wednesday) at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here.
Fareast University will play ULAB in the inaugural match at 4:30 pm at the Bangabandhu National Stadium although two matches will be held in the morning at Kamalapur Stadium with State University taking on Independent University (IUB) at 8 am and Bangladesh University facing Atish Dipankar University at 9:30 pm.
State Minister for Youth and Sports Dr Biren Sikder will inaugurate the tournament Wednesday afternoon at 4:30 pm.
Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports Arif Khan Joy, Secretary of the Youth and Sports Ministry M Asadul Islam, Zaraif Ayaat Hossain, elder brother of Faraaz Hossain and chairman of the meet’s sponsor Shahjalal Islami Bank Ltd Akkas Uddin Mollah will also present on the occasion.
National sports award winning organizer and Youth and Sports Secretary of the ruling Awami League Harun-ur-Rashid disclosed the details of the tournament at a press conference at NSC Tower on Tuesday.
Additional Managing Director of the meet’s sponsor Shahjalal Islami Bank M Shahidul Islam, national sports award winner Golam Sarwar Tipu, BFF Vice President and national sports award winner Badal Roy, elder brothers of Faraaz, Zaraif Ayaat Hossain, national sports award winners Hasanuzzaman Khan Bablu and Sheikh Mohammad Aslam were also spoke on the occasion.
Twenty private university teams, split into eight groups, will initially participate in the first phase of the meet, organized by former footballers organisatioin “Sonali Otit Club” named after 20-year old student Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain, a victim of terrorist attack in Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan.
Participating teams are:
Group 1: State University, Presidency University and Independent University (IUB)
Group 2: Daffodil University and BUBT
Group 3: Bangladesh University, Atish Dipankar University and Shanto-Mariam University
Group 4: Uttara University, East West University and Southern University
Group 5: Prime University and City University
Group 6: Northern University and Gono Bishwabidyalay.
Group 7: BRAC University and IUBAT
Group 8: ULAB, Fareast University and South East University.
On completion of first phase matches on July 29, the Round-16 matches will be held on July 30-31, quarterfinals on Aug 2, semifinal on July 3 and the final match on August 5.
The champions team will be awarded with a prize money of Taka 2 lac and runners-up team will get Tk one lac in addition to trophies. Besides, highest scorer, best player and best goal-keeper of the tournament will also be awarded.
In the 20-team first Inter-Private University Football Tournament in 2017 (The Faraaz Challenge Cup), Green University emerged unbeaten champions beating Fareast University by 2-0 goals in the final at Kamalapur Stadium in July last year.
