The Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) has formalised a major sponsorship agreement valued at 10 million BDT (1 crore) to facilitate the participation of the national youth teams in the upcoming Under-18 Asia Cup in Japan. This vital financial injection, provided by the Epyllion Group, has effectively alleviated the immediate fiscal anxieties surrounding the delegation’s travel and logistical requirements for the prestigious continental competition.
Fiscal Logistics and Tournament Scheduling
The total projected expenditure for the Japanese tour is estimated at 25 million BDT. The contribution from Epyllion Group covers approximately 40 per cent of this comprehensive budget, establishing a firm financial foundation for the expedition. During a formal contract-signing ceremony held at the federation’s headquarters on Sunday, 3 May, the General Secretary of the BHF, Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Riazul Hasan, expressed a sense of profound relief concerning the acquisition of these funds.
He observed that Japan is a particularly high-cost destination for international sporting delegations. The sponsorship ensures that the procurement of air tickets and essential provisions for the “Red and Green” representatives is now guaranteed. To bridge the remaining budgetary deficit of approximately 15 million BDT, the federation has officially commenced negotiations with relevant government departments and ministries to secure the balance of the necessary funding.
The Under-18 Asia Cup is scheduled to commence on 29 May. To ensure sufficient time for acclimatisation and final tactical sessions on Japanese turf, both the boys’ and girls’ national squads are expected to depart from Dhaka on 26 May.
Technical Continuity and Coaching Appointments
In a strategic bid to maintain competitive momentum, the BHF has opted to retain the coaching panels that oversaw the teams’ successful performances in previous outings. The federation has confirmed the reappointment of the following officials:
Maududur Rahman Shuvo: Head Coach for the Boys’ Under-18 Team.
Zahid Hossain Raju: Head Coach for the Girls’ Under-18 Team.
Lieutenant Colonel Hasan explained that the decision to trust the incumbent staff is rooted in their proven track record. He noted that these coaches possess a deep understanding of the current squad dynamics and maintain an informed perspective on the tactical strengths and weaknesses of their international counterparts. This continuity is intended to provide the players with a sense of stability as they transition from domestic training at the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP) to the high-stakes environment of an Asian championship.
Intensive Training and Competitive Groupings
Preparatory camps are currently underway at the BKSP, the nation’s premier athletic training facility. The boys’ camp was inaugurated on 1 May, whilst the girls’ intensive preparation programme is scheduled to commence on 5 May. These sessions focus on enhancing physical stamina and refining technical execution before the squads encounter a challenging field of Asian opponents.
The competitive landscape for the tournament is structured as follows:
Boys’ Division (Pool B): The Bangladesh boys’ team faces a rigorous group stage, where they will compete against:
Pakistan
Malaysia
China
Girls’ Division: The girls’ team enters the competition with significant expectations. Following their debut performance in the previous edition, where they secured a bronze medal, they will now face fixtures against:
Japan (Host Nation)
China
Chinese Taipei
The federation remains confident that the combination of secured corporate backing, coaching stability, and the rigorous environment at BKSP will empower both teams to compete effectively. As the departure date approaches, the BHF’s focus remains on finalising the remaining financial requirements and ensuring the athletes are technically prepared to challenge the continent’s leading hockey nations. This tournament represents a significant opportunity for the youth teams to demonstrate their progression on the international stage.
