The international friendly matches of the Bangladesh national team forced the Bangladesh Football Federation to shift the upcoming Super Cup to November, said a top official on Sunday.
The Super Cup, which attracted huge attention during the inaugural edition in 2008 for its Tk 1 crore prize money, was last held in 2011. The third edition of the tournament was supposed to be held this month after the end of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League, but the BFF said it is now shifting the kick-off date.
‘We had no problem to hold the Super Cup this month, but we can’t stage it due to the international friendlies of the national team, their preparation and participation in the SAFF Championship and an international tournament on home soil,’ BFF president Kazi Salahuddin told reporters.
Bangladesh will play two international friendly matches against India and Pakistan in the UK in June before shifting its focus on the SAAF Championship, scheduled for September in Nepal.
The BFF also has a plan to host an international tournament in October, which means there is no chance of the BFF holding the Super Cup this season.
Salahuddin, who returned from Malaysia after attending the AFC Congress, however, did not agree.
‘I would like to say that the Super Cup will take place in November rather than next season and I believe the participating clubs will be benefited financially through the Super Cup.’
With the revised plan the next football season will begin with the Super Cup instead of the traditional curtain-raising tournament, the Federation Cup.
-With New Age input
