If Kings had not come, football might have been lost: Ahmed Akbar Sobhan

Bashundhara Kings have written a glorious new chapter in Bangladeshi football history by clinching a historic domestic treble this season, a feat that was celebrated in style at a grand reception held in honour of the reigning champions.

The main hall, adorned with a massive backdrop reading “History Makers”, perfectly captured the mood of a club that has dominated the domestic circuit with sheer authority.

By securing all three major pieces of silverware on offer this term—the season-opening Challenge Cup, the Premier League title, and the Federation Cup—the Kings, spearheaded by the likes of Rakib Hossain and Topu Barman, have achieved their second career treble, an unprecedented milestone unmatched by any other club in the nation's footballing history.

Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, the Chairman of Bashundhara Group, graced the occasion to personally inspire and congratulate the triumphant footballers, acknowledging the immense commitment and sacrifices they displayed throughout a challenging campaign.

Addressing the gathering, the Chairman highly praised the players' resilience regarding contractual and financial matters, stating, "I have heard that the players have made many, many sacrifices this time. I might not be able to fully repay that. But Inshallah, I can assure you that Mr Imrul (Imrul Hasan, President of Bashundhara Kings) will not give anyone even a single Taka less than what was agreed upon in the contracts. There might be a delay of a couple of days, but no player will be disappointed, that I can guarantee. That I can assure. That is the reason for my presence here."

Emphasising the long-term recognition the players would receive for their loyalty, Ahmed Akbar Sobhan expressed his ultimate confidence in the club's enduring legacy. He remarked, "I hope that Inshallah, Bashundhara Kings will shine even brighter in the days to come. They will prove that Kings are always Kings. Your sacrifices, the sacrifices and patience of these players, will be remembered by me forever, and my children will remember it too. As far as I know, players of other teams refuse to play if a single payment is missed. But the patience and resilience shown by our players will always be remembered by me and everyone at the Bashundhara Group. And the Bashundhara Group will certainly reward that."

The Chairman went on to highlight the pivotal role the club has played in rejuvenating the sport nationwide, crediting the administrative leadership alongside the squad for rescuing the game from a downward spiral. He asserted, "Bashundhara Kings has undoubtedly kept Bangladeshi football alive. If Bashundhara Kings had not entered, perhaps Bangladeshi football would not even exist today. The credit goes particularly to the players of Bashundhara Kings and especially to our Imrul. He can be called a dedicated soul for football. I hope that the contribution of whoever plays for Bashundhara Kings in Bangladesh football will never be denied by this country, this nation, and the 200m people of Bangladesh. If Bashundhara Kings had not come along, today's football might have been lost." Reflecting on the thrilling conclusion to the domestic season, he added, "The final match was undoubtedly a very good game. There was a competitive mood. Bangladeshi spectators need this kind of matches. Abahani-Kings, Abahani-Mohammedan... Mohammedan has built a good team this time, which is also a hope for the future."

The prestigious event also saw the presence of Safwan Sobhan, Chairman of Safwan Bashundhara Global and Vice-Chairman of Bashundhara Group, Ahmed Ibrahim Sobhan, Managing Director of Tanvir Bashundhara Group, and Imrul Hasan, the President of Bashundhara Kings. Since bursting onto the top-tier football scene in 2018, the Kings have established absolute dominance, amassing an astonishing 16 trophies over the past eight seasons, including a record-breaking five consecutive league titles, whilst also making a mark on the continental stage in the AFC club tournaments. Despite numerous adversities this season, the squad maintained their elite standards, kicking off with the one-off Challenge Cup before sealing the league title, and finally retaining their Federation Cup crown for the third consecutive year with a thrilling 3-2 victory over traditional rivals Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited at the Kings Arena on Wednesday.