Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association (BSJA) arranged a seminar titled “Asia Cup and Bangladesh Hockey” at the Dutch-Bangla auditorium of Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) on Wednesday ahead of the eight-nation Hero Asia Cup Hockey beginning in Dhaka on October 11.
The 10th edition of the quadrennial prestigious event returned to Bangladesh after 32 years since 2nd Asia Cup Dhaka in 1985.
All the matches of the premier continental hockey will take place at Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium in Dhaka on October 11-22, featuring hosts Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Japan in Pool A and defending champions South Korea, China, Malaysia and Oman in Pool B.
India will play Japan in the inaugural match on October 11 at 3pm while hosts Bangladesh will meet their giant rivals Pakistan in the other opening day’s fixture at 5:30pm.
At the beginning of the seminar, a one-minute silence was observed paying respects to late national hockey players of 1985 Bangladesh team — Abdul Malek Chunnu, Jashimuddin Kanchan, Jumman Lusai and team Manager Sabbir Yousuf.
Sports Editor of the Dainik Ittefaq Motahar Hossain Masum presented the keynote paper at the seminar while BSJA general secretary Junaid Hossain gave the welcome speech and BSJA president Saidur Rahman Shamim gave the vote of thanks.
Former national captain and general secretary of Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) Abdus Sadeque, former national skipper cum BHF vice president Khawja Rahmatullah, captain of Bangladesh team in 1985 Asia Cup Shahabuddin Chaklader, Sports Editor of Channel 24 Dilu Khondakar, former national skipper Mamun-ur-Rashid, former national players Jamil Parveez Lulu, Kamrul Islam Kismat, veteran hockey organiser Yousuf Ali, Manager of Bangladesh team Rafiqul Islam Kamal and hockey umpire Salim Lucky addressed the seminar.
The speakers stressed the need for talent hunt, professionalism in hockey, expanding hockey at grass roots level, proper marketing and removing infrastructural lacking and the personal clash among the organisers.
Meanwhile, floodlights installed at the Maulana Bhashani National Stadium were formally inaugurated on Monday and the electronic scoreboard at the stadium will be operational very soon.
The inaugural Men’s Asia Cup, introduced in 1982, was won by Pakistan who also won the next two editions in 1985 and 1989. Since then, India (2003, 2007) and Korea (1993, 1999, 2009 and 2013) have also been champions in the nine editions played so far.
