BCL to begin with players’ registration window in February amid venue crisis

The next season of the Bangladesh Championship League (BCL), the country’s second-tier professional league, will commence with the players’ registration window in February.  However, the league’s governing body is still in search of suitable venues.

The league is expected to take place in March, featuring 11 out of 14 teams that have successfully completed the club licensing process, while the players’ registration window will open in the first week of February.

The participating clubs are: Public Works Department (PWD) Sports Club, Wari Club Dhaka, NoFeL Sporting Club, Farashganj SC, Arambagh Krira Sangha, City Club, Dhaka Rangers Football Club, Little Friends Club, Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) SC, Uttar Baridhara Club, and BFF Elite Football Academy.

Victoria SC has not completed the club licensing process properly, while Uttara FC and Samaj Kalyan Krira Sangsad Mugda are struggling with ownership issues, confirmed Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) senior vice-president and Professional League Management Committee (PLMC) chairman Imrul Hassan to the Daily Sun on Wednesday.

“We have a meeting with the clubs on 1 February, after which we will announce the registration window. The tentative date for the window is 2 February, and the league is expected to begin in March with 11 out of 14 clubs participating,” said Imrul.

The BCL governing body, PLMC, is still seeking venues in Dhaka. Although four options have been identified, it is yet to be confirmed if they are suitable for hosting the second-tier professional league.

The four venues under consideration are the Physical Training Centre ground in Mohammadpur, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club ground, Dhupkhola field, and Fortis Sports Ground.

“We are facing a venue crisis in Dhaka. However, we have identified four possible locations—Physical Training Centre ground, Sheikh Jamal ground, Dhupkhola field, and Fortis Ground. I will receive detailed reports on these venues tomorrow (Thursday). Only then can we confirm where the league will be held,” the PLMC chief concluded.