The second edition of the Airtel Under-18 Football Tournament will begin at the Bangabandhhu National Stadium on September 13. This is a competition of the youth teams from the Bangladesh Professional Football League clubs and Sheikh Jamal being the only team to pull their team out from the tournament for the second successive year. This was announced during the draw for the event at the BFF House on Monday. Defending champions Mohammedan Sporting Club and their arch-rivals Abahani Limited were placed in the same group in the draw.
Bangladesh Professional Football League committee vice-chairman Abdur Rahim was shocked at the news of Sheikh Jamal’s withdrawal from the competition.
‘We had expected that all the established teams would be participating in the youth tournament as we extended the age-limit of the players to 18 from 16 on the recommendation of Sheikh Jamal but we are shocked they are not participating,’ said Rahim during the draw.
The BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Sohag contacted Sheikh Jamal president Manzur Kader several times and he confirmed the news to Sohag that Jamal are unable to take part in the tournament due to shortage of money.
According to the bylaws, the clubs of the Premier Football League are required to have a youth team and it must participate in the tournament, organised by the BFF.
‘We have taken the matter very seriously and will ask the BFF executive committee to punish Sheikh Jamal severely after the meeting of the league committee,’ said Sohag.
Group A: Sheikh Russell KC, Team BJMC, Muktijoddha Sangsad KC, Chittagong Abahani.
Group B: Abahani KC, Mohammedan SC, Feni Soccer Club, Brothers Union, Uttar Baridhara.
-With New Age input
