Shakib buys hockey team in franchise tournament

Bangladesh ace allrounder Shakib Al Hasan has bought the ownership of a team in the upcoming hockey franchise tournament Bangladesh Champions Trophy (BCT).

The Test and T20 captain of the country acquired the ownership through his company Monarch Mart.

The Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) disclosed the names of the franchises in a colourful ceremony at a city hotel today. Apart from Monarch Mart, ACME, Saif Powertech, Walton and Rupayan Group also bought teams. The name of the sixth and final owners was yet to be revealed.

The competition, which will follow the model of cricket T20 tournament Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) will begin in the third week of October with six franchisees.

"I think the potential of hockey in Bangladesh is more than any other sport. So I am happy to be the part of this tournament," Shakib who was present in the programme said.

"First of all when I joined BKSP, my roommate was a hockey player, my elder brothers were hockey players. We used to go to the hockey ground to watch the hockey game. So the interest in hockey was there long ago. It's nice to be with any sports, not just hockey. Most importantly, a sport is a place where we can keep the youth away from drugs.

As planned by Bangladesh Hockey Federation, Ace Sports Management Company is going to organize Bangladesh Champions Trophy.

34 matches will be played at Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium during the 20-day tournament.

BHF president and Air Chief Marshal Sheikh Abdul Hannan, BHF's acting general secretary Mohammad Yousuf, former national hockey player and general secretary Abdus Sadeque, ACE chief patron and Bashundhara Group vice president Safwan Sobhan, ACE chief executive officer Istiaque Sadeque and representatives of franchises were among others present.