Dhaka – Three Indian football clubs — East Bengal FC, Mohun Bagan AC and Kolkata Mohammedan SC — will participate in the upcoming Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup 2019 to be held at MA Aziz Stadium in Chattogram in October.
Mohun Bagan Athletic Club signed the deed of consent with the organiser on Friday while Kolkata Mohammedan Sporting Club on Saturday and East Bengal Football Club have given their verbal consent.
Chairman of Chattogram Abahani Ltd and Managing Director of Sponsor Group Saif PowerTec Tarafdar Md Ruhul Amin disclosed the information on Saturday.
“Mohun Bagan AC and Kolkata Mohammedan SC have already signed the deed of consent with us. East Bengal FC have not yet signed yet the deed but they’ve given their verbal consent,” he said.
This year, the tournament will feature eight Asian clubs — three from Bangladesh, three from India and two from two other countries.
Three Bangladeshi clubs are Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Champions Bashundhara Kings, runners-up Dhaka Abahani Limited and hosts Chattogram Abahani Limited.Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup, a biennial event, was held twice in 2015 and 2017.
Chattogram Abahani Ltd organises the tournament in memory of Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Each team will get US$ 10,000 as participation fee while the Champions will be awarded US$ 50,000 and the runners-up US$ 30,000.
In 2015, Chattogram Abahani Ltd emerged as the champions of the first edition of the tournament beating East Bengal FC of India by 3-1 goals while TC Sports Club of the Maldives emerged as the champions of the second edition beating Pocheon Citizen FC of South Korea by 4-2 goals in 2017.UNB
