Grameenphone Federation Cup 2012
Local flavour in curtain raiser
The finals of the Grameenphone Federation Cup, which gets underway from today at two different venues, is seemingly going to be a stage for local players after the immigration department recently imposed firm restrictions on signing up foreign players for domestic competitions.
Four foreign players are eligible to play in a match according to the bylaws of the Bangladesh Professional Football League Committee. However, participating clubs are struggling to fulfil their foreign quotas as the immigration department, following directives from the Special Branch, decided to allow only foreign players with player visas; applicable especially to players from Africa.
The decision has definitely made an impact on the participation of foreign players and competing teams, except a couple of clubs, are preparing to compete in the season’s curtain-raising tournament Federation Cup with less or no foreign players.
On paper, big-budgeted Sheikh Russel KC, traditional foes Abahani and Mohammedan and Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club are comparatively ahead of others on the basis of local recruitment. It is believed that the title race of the preparatory tournament of Bangladesh Premier League is mainly to be confined to these four teams although last season’s runners-up Team BJMC and a depleted Brothers Union may also pull off surprise performances in the 15-team tournament after Cox City FC pulled out of the tournament citing lack of preparation.
Defending champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club have roped in their only Nigerian striker Sunday Chizoba, who played for Mohammedan last season, while they are waiting for the international transfer certificates for four other Nigerian recruits, who have been practicing with the Dhanmondi-based outfit.
Sheikh Jamal will also have to play without key local players Ariful Islam and Monaem Khan Raju who have been recovering from injuries.
Team BJMC are almost set to play the group-stage matches without foreign players as their four foreign players, who played for them last season, are trying to get Bangladesh visas.
Abahani were also without foreign players until yesterday but the Sky Blues are expecting to get all of their foreign players from the last season before their tournament opener against Jessore DFA Ekadosh.
Mohammedan is also likely to depend on only attacking midfielder Wasio of Benin as Nigerians Augustine, Damien, Morison and Cameroonian defender Bayeback, who played for Team BJMC last season are trying to process players’ visas and a depleted Muktijoddha will have to play long-standing foreign defender Dami Emmanuel.
However, Sheikh Russel are in advantageous position with Haitian Sony and Moroccans Kaushem and Tarik who are set to play from the first match.
“It is an unexpected opportunity for the local players and they will have to prove themselves on the pitch in order to cement their places in the starting eleven,” said Mohammedan coach Saiful Bari Titu who hopes his foreign players will be able to join the squad from the knock-out stage.
“When it is a game between locals versus locals, nothing can be predicted,’ said Abahani football manager Satyajit Das Rupu adding that they are aiming to regain their Federation Cup title following their elimination from the quarterfinal stages in the last edition of the Federation Cup.
“As a title contenders side, our preparation has not been satisfactory but we are hopeful to break the title-drought of Sheikh Russel,” said coach Maruful Haque.
Most of the participating teams expect to be able to include foreign players in their ranks from the knock-out phase but it is yet to be seen whether the international players will be in match-fit condition.
On the opening day, Mohammedan SC take on Rampur Boys Club of Feni, Sheikh Russel play against Bangladesh Police at the BNS while Team BJMC face Khulna Abahani at Birshreshtha Shaheed Mostafa Kamal Stadium.
-With The Daily Star input
