Bashundhara Kings once again set a new milestone in the history of the country's domestic football by clinching a record fifth consecutive title of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) football.

Making their debut in BPL, Bashundhara Kings repeated the history of Mohammedan Sporting Club's victories 86 years ago (1934 to 1938)  by winning the league title five times in a row and thus brought the occasion for football lovers of Bangladesh to celebrate the glory.

Bashundhara Group, one of the leading industrial conglomerates of Bangladesh, has been patronising the Kings for rejuvenating the glitters of soccer in Dhaka. In the football history of independent Bangladesh, Bashundhara Kings emerged as a ‘pioneer’ of practising full professionalism in club football.

Due to the intense love, enthusiasm and interest of Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, Managing Director Sayem Sobhan Anvir and other family members, the team has emerged strong in the football arena.

The team has been able to live up to the hopes, expectations and dreams of the audience, enthusiastic supporters and fans. They have proved that they are not only a strong team in domestic club football but are now invincible heroes in the field of football and are the 'best of the best'. They are role models and source of inspirations in the country's club football.

Kings have opened a new chapter in the history of club football in the country. The team proved on the field what a collective effort means and how much sacred and solemn are their vows and obligations in creating new feats.

Bashundhara Kings Rejuvenates Country's Soccer HistoryBashundhara Kings as the 'best brand' in the domestic football world wrote the fairy tale in the country's club football history since commencement of its journey in 2016.

The oldest English League in the world started in 1888. Exactly 10 years later, Calcutta First Division Football League started in 1898. However, from 1898 to 1933, no local team could win the league title in Calcutta's traditional football league.

In 1933, Mohammedan Sporting Club became champions of the Second Division and became the first to play in the First Division, breaking the monopoly of the English teams and setting a new record in Indian football by winning the title for five consecutive seasons (1934 to 1938). For the locals, this victory on the football field was a matter of pride during the days of undivided India.

In the 126-year history of football in Calcutta, no other team has achieved the feat of winning the league title consecutively. The East Bengal club won the Calcutta league six times in a row in independent Indian football from 1970 to 1975, but not until much later when league play was introduced.

The way Bashundhara Kings in the Premier Football League fought against their biggest rivals Abahani and Mohammedan Sporting Club and won the title time and time again is truly unique.

Bashundhara Kings will play the 16th match of the league against Bangladesh Police FC at its own arena today (Saturday). It would be a red-letter day for the club officials, players, coaches, supporting staff and supporters.

The league committee will officially hand over the trophy to the champions Bashundhara Kings today. The longing will be over with this. The colourful festival will begin with the trophy. The importance of this year's festival is different. Meanwhile, Bashundhara Kings reached the final after defeating Abahani 3-0 in the semi-finals of the Federation Cup.

Spanish coach Óscar Bruzón has already guided Bashundhara Kings to five league titles, apart from the team winning trophies from the tournament. In Dhaka football, Bruzón has created a new record in leading the team to winning trophies. He has been serving as the coach of the team from the very beginning.

Bashundhara Kings has played a total of 105 matches starting from 2018-19 till today against Police. Of these, they won in 90 matches, drew in 10 and lost five games. But a generation, who were once supporters of Mohammedan, Abahani and other teams, are now flocking to the Kings to enjoy the nearness of victory.

Bashundhara Kings has always played rhythmic as well as attacking football through scoring 262 goals with only 67 goals against it.

President of the Club Imrul Hassan thinks Bashundhara Kings is leading the way to champion in all indicators as most of the clubs in the country are suffering for organisational incapacity.

“Clubs 'suffer' due to lack of transparency and accountability in their organisational activities. On behalf of King's Board of Directors, we expressed gratitude to Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan for trust and faith he placed on us for clinching more victory and meeting expectations of supporters across the country,” he said.

Let us congratulate all the players, coaches, managers, team management and the club's board of directors for their spectacular consecutive titles. When the club football wins, the country's football also shines. The day to be proud for football will return soon. We cheer along with the Kings supporters in the field.
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The writer is a columnist and the former senior vice-president of International Sports Press Association (AIPS) Asia.
Translated by Jannatul Islam