ABG University Cup 2026 kicks off at Sports City, celebrating youth

A vibrant celebration of youth is set to begin on Sunday at ABG Sports City in Bashundhara Residential Area, Dhaka. Over the past fortnight, students at 10 private universities in the capital have demonstrated enthusiasm, excitement and extensive preparations for the event, which promises to add a new dimension to university-level sports in Bangladesh.

The participating universities are American International University-Bangladesh, North South University, BRAC University, Independent University, Bangladesh, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, Sonargaon University, United International University, Fareast International University, University of Scholars and Daffodil International University.

The inaugural ABG University Cup 2026 will bring together university teams to compete for supremacy in football and cricket under floodlights at two international-standard venues — Kings Arena and Anvir Cricket Stadium, respectively. The two competitions offer a combined prize money of Tk30 lakh.

However, the significance of the tournament extends far beyond the prize money. For students, vice-chancellors and faculty members, the opportunity to compete in a sports-friendly environment and enhance their universities’ reputations in the wider sporting arena is equally important.

The tournament has already challenged the widely held perception that students at major educational institutions, particularly public and private universities, have little interest in sports. The enthusiasm surrounding the ABG University Cup, organised by ABG Group, demonstrates that students are eager to participate when given the right opportunities.

How many private universities provide adequate sports facilities for their students? What options do students have during their leisure time if they lack access to proper sporting infrastructure? Recruiting athletes and sports enthusiasts alone is not enough; institutions must also create opportunities for them to play.

What stands out is not merely the spontaneous participation of 10 private universities in football and cricket, but also the confidence and enthusiasm surrounding the competitions. Bringing students from different institutions together at a common venue can foster mutual understanding, friendship and stronger relationships. These outcomes are arguably more valuable than winning a trophy.

Organisers have indicated that more universities will have the opportunity to participate in future editions of the competitions. Futsal competitions for female students are also planned, opening another avenue for expanding participation in sports.

ABG Group is launching the two tournaments with a clear objective: to expand sporting activities across the country and contribute to improving their standards. The group recognises that sports are essential not only for building a healthy and physically fit younger generation but also for developing young people's potential and putting their abilities to productive use in society.

Young people are the country's greatest asset. ABG Chairman Sayem Sobhan Anvir has consistently championed the cause of youth, investing thought and ambition in their future. Through ABG Sports City, the group seeks to play a meaningful role in transforming the country's sporting landscape.

The group believes that the nation shares a common aspiration to fulfil its potential and that opportunities to develop individual talent are greater than ever before. As ABG Sports City expands its activities, its appeal among young people continues to grow.

ABG Sports City is a state-of-the-art sports facility designed to provide a reliable platform for turning sporting ambitions into reality. During a late autumn afternoon, while waiting for a car outside Anvir Cricket Stadium, I overheard a conversation among several young men and women standing beside a parked vehicle near the gate. They were discussing how the country's sports infrastructure, sporting aspirations and expectations were changing.

Developments that once seemed unimaginable are now becoming a reality.

I was struck by how quickly ABG Sports City, built in Bashundhara Residential Area, has attracted a significant section of the country's younger generation. Such a modern private sports city is a source of pride for Bangladesh's sporting community and a positive subject for public discussion. It can also serve as an example for entrepreneurs interested in investing in sports development.

Investment in sports infrastructure has already demonstrated its potential to deliver meaningful results. While many people are familiar with major corporate houses at home and abroad, Bashundhara Group has emerged as a prominent corporate investor in Bangladesh's sporting sector.

Media reports said a captains' meet was held at Zulcan Indoor Arena at ABG Sports City, where the ABG University Cup and team jerseys were unveiled at a colourful ceremony. Although I do not know what the football and cricket captains said at the event, I believe they must have expressed considerable enthusiasm for the competitions.

The tournament's success will depend largely on the active participation of university students. They need to understand that such initiatives can encourage greater interest in sports at the university level while fostering communication, friendship and healthy competition among students.

A successful tournament will also encourage the organisers to expand future editions, create larger platforms for participation and bring more young people together through sports.

ABG Sports City Director Md Imrul Hasan has expressed confidence that the initiative will strengthen university-level sports, help discover new talent and enable young athletes to represent Bangladesh nationally and internationally in the future.

“We firmly believe that this initiative will enrich university-level sports, help new talent emerge and create opportunities for today's youth to represent the country at national and international levels,” he said.

“This is not merely a tournament; it is a wonderful gathering that brings youth together, connects dreams with possibilities and promotes mutual goodwill,” he added.

He also said the initiative had taken shape through the keen interest and commitment of ABG Chairman Sayem Sobhan Anvir, under whose guidance the new venture had been launched.

(Kaler Kantho, 23 October 2026)

At previous inter-university competitions, I have observed national team players, Bangladesh Premier League footballers and players from other leagues representing different universities. Their participation made the tournaments more competitive and exciting.

I expect the ABG University Cup to attract national team players and footballers from various clubs to represent the participating universities. Their involvement would make the matches more competitive and enhance the tournament's appeal.

Ultimately, the ABG University Cup 2026 represents more than a contest for sporting honours. It offers an opportunity to nurture talent, strengthen ties among universities and inspire a new generation to embrace sports. If sustained and expanded, the initiative could become an important platform for developing university sports and building a stronger sporting culture in Bangladesh.

The writer is a columnist and analyst, former senior vice-president of AIPS Asia, life member of the Bangladesh Sports Press Association and panel writer for Football Asia.