The Green Delta Insurance Premier Division Hockey League will begin today without four clubs, including last year’s champions Mohammedan Sporting Club.
Mohammedan, Mariner Young’s Club, Wari Club and Bangladesh Sporting Club decided not to participate in any hockey-related activities under the existing governing body of the Bangladesh Hockey Federation, leaving the league with seven teams.
The BHF attempted to bring the clubs back into the fold but failed to do so and had to proceed with the league without the four sides.
‘We tried hard to bring them in the league but they did not come forward,’ Bangladesh Hockey Federation vice-president Abdur Rashid Shikdar said on Thursday.
Last season’s runners-up Usha Krira Chakra will face Dhaka Wanderers Club in the opening match today before Abahani Limited play Azad Sporting Club in the second match.
Without Mohammedan and Mariners, all the focus will be on Usha and Abahani, who were the champions and runners-up respectively in the recently-concluded Club Cup Hockey tournament.
Both clubs feature many local star players, but neither of them have recruited any foreign players.
Abahani are reaching out to some Indian and Pakistani players, but they may arrive after a number of matches have already been played.
‘We are contacting with some Indian and Pakistani players, but they will arrive after five or six matches, before the match against Usha KC,’ said Abahani advisory coach Mahbub Harun.
Meanwhile, Usha KC coach Mamunur Rashid was confident that his team could win the league trophy after winning the Club Cup trophy.
-With New Age input
