Bashundhara Kings on Thursday have set a milestone in the domestic stage hosting a Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) match tier match at its dedicated home venue for the first time in the country’s history.

Bashundhara Kings also made a winning start in the historical match at their den named ‘Bashundhara Kings Arena’, the home stadium of Bashundhara Sports Complex.

It was learnt that an academy will be built in the Bashundhara Sports Complex built on 300 bighas of land. English club giant Manchester United will be associated with that academy.

The Bashundhara Group Chairman was speaking at a ceremony marking the inauguration of Bashundhara Kings Arena, the football stadium of Bashundhara Sports Complex in Bashundhara Residential Area.

Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, Chairman of country’s largest industrial conglomerate Bashundhara Group, on Thursday said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had advised him to construct the country’s best sports complex.

“Our Honourable Prime Minister inspires me most about sports, saying only sports can brand Bangladesh abroad. I’m grateful to her as she advises the country's businessmen to brand the country. The main tool of branding this country is sports,” he said.

Bashundhara Group Chairman said, “We are trying to have a franchise from Manchester United Club for the indoor academy. At least one thousand boys will stay in this academy where they can learn the game. We have set up the academy for girls also and we are proud of them. The girls of Bangladesh are moving ahead in all sectors of sports including football and cricket."

Earlier, Ahmed Akbar Sobhan officially inaugurated Bashundhara Kings Arena’ with the match between Bashundhara Kings and Police Football Club by releasing balloons and pigeons. 

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Senior Vice-President Abdus Salam Murshedy, Bashundhara Kings President and BFF Vice-President Imrul Hassan, match officials and players of the two teams, among others, attended the programme.

Bashundhara Group Chairman said, “I thank you all very much, I am grateful to all including journalists and others who are coming here and encouraging us to build this complex. Your cooperation will take us a long way. I am inaugurating this football ground of Bashundhara Kings today."

Later, in a brief press conference, he highlighted various initiatives of country's largest business conglomerate Bashundhara Group in the development of the country's sports. 

Apart from Manchester United, Spanish giants Real Madrid are also being considered for joining the Bashundhara Academy, he said. 

Besides, the Bashundhara Sports Complex is being developed as a hub to collect and nourish new talents, Ahmed Akbar Sobhan said.

Bashundhara Kings have undertaken this huge project worth Tk 15,000 crore not for business purposes but to uphold the country's image before the world.

BDST: 2145 HRS, FEB 17, 2022
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