The Bangladesh Football Federation is struggling to find the sixth team for the third edition of Bangabandhu Gold Cup, scheduled to be held from January 15-27.
At least three teams have turned down the invitation leaving the BFF in danger of hosting the tournament with just five teams. The BFF had initially planned to host the tournament with Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Laos and Bahrain, with the latter agreeing to send their Under-23 squad.
Laos pulled out of the tournament recently prompting the BFF to approach to Pakistan only to be refused.
Pakistan said they have an international friendly scheduled on January 25, so they cannot participate in the tournament.
The BFF later invited Maldives, who on Monday declined it without citing any reason.
BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag said they are now communicating with few other neighbouring countries including Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Nepal.
‘We are hoping to get positive response from at least one team,’ he said.
The BFF planned to divide six teams in two groups and hold the matches in Dhaka and Sylhet simultaneously.
Each venue was expected to hold one semi-final with the final scheduled for Dhaka’s Bangabandhu National Stadium.
Satellite television Channel-9 has secured the sponsorship rights of the Bangabandhu Gold Cup football tournament for the next five years.
They agreed to provide Tk six crore for each edition of the tournament and already handed over a cheque of Tk one crore for the upcoming edition.
-With New Age input
