Under the patronisation of Bashundhara Group, country’s local football club Bashundhara Kings started its journey about six years ago.  And over time, this club has turned out to be a champion team in the country’s club football arena. It has earned the prestige of becoming champion in four seasons at a stretch, gaining popularity among the football fans.

Kings has not kept its ambition limited to playing matches at domestic levels only but has reached beyond. It has introduced itself as a new power in the club football arena of South Asian countries.  

In is mentionable that the club has a beautiful playground of its own accommodating a dressing room and a press box and offering many excellent facilities– just like any other world-class football club.

To look back, this club has won the highest number of trophies in local football contests during the past five years. Alongside, it has spread the fame of Bashundhara group throughout the country. On 18 January 2019, Bashundhara Kings played its very first match against Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club in Bangabandhu National Stadium and won the match by a 1-0 goal.

The path has not always been smooth for the club. But it has overcome the obstacles thanks to the far-sightedness and determination of the people backing it up. Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, a former hockey lover, has a good deal of fascination for football. He inspired the current President of the club Mohammad Imrul Hasan to form a good football team. And thus, this club came into being.

Meanwhile, Bashundhara Kings is going to play a football match against Brothers Union Limited at Rajshahi Stadium today, whereby it will earn the prestige of playing one hundred matches. Hence, Bashundhara Group, the club directors, the players, and the fans are anticipating the upcoming match with hope and excitement.

Kings’ Hundredth Match: Looking Back at Its Journey In so far, Bashundhara Kings has played some 99 matches. It won a total of 84 matches and lost five while drawing 10.  The Kings scored a total of 243 goals while their opponents scored against them only 64 goals. In the first episode, Bashundhara Kings was ahead of its opponent teams Mohammedan and Dhaka Abahani Limited by five and seven points respectively.

Earlier, Kings defeated its opponent Brothers Union by 5-0 goals in 2019 at Sheikh Kamal International Stadium in Nilphamari. On behalf of Bashundhara Kings, player Matin Mia made it a hat trick in the match, a feat for the first time as a local player. Among both local and foreign players of the club, Brazilian performer Robson Robinho has scored the highest number of goals, 52 in total.

However, the chief craftsman behind the success of this club is its Spanish coach Oscar Bruzon. He has been playing the role of the Chief Coach of the club since the beginning. Before joining this club, this experienced man also played his roles in several clubs in India, Maldives and Spain. Anisur Rahman Zico, Motin Mia, Shobuj, Jony and some others have been clinging to the club since its formation.

Previously, Bashundhara Kings started playing its premier league matches after constructing the Sheikh Kamal Stadium football venue in Nilphamari district. The club won the opening match at the venue against Bangladesh Police FC by 3-0 goals. Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan was present on the occasion as chief guest.

Before the club is going to play its hundredth match, club president Mohammad Imrul Hasan expressed his feelings in words somewhat similar to the following ones, “Our long journey has been full of events and thrills. Our club is going to touch the milestone of playing one hundred matches.  Through this achievement, our first dream will come true. We are thankful to the Group Chairman and his sons for patronising the club.”

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The writer is a lifelong member of the Bangladesh Sports Press Association