Dhaka – First Security Islami Bank Ltd (FSIBL) on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) to sponsor the eight-team Hero 10th Men’s Asia Cup Hockey and the Bangladesh National Hockey team.BHF President and Chief of Bangladesh Air Force Air Marshall Muhammad Abu Esrar and FSIBL Managing Director Syed Waseque Md Ali signed the deal on half of their respective organisations at a function at the Dutch-Bangla Auditorium of BOA.Chairman of the meet’s media partner ATN Bangla and BHF Vice-president Dr Mahfuzur Rahman and BHF general secretary Abdus Sadeque were also present.As per the contract, the FSIBL will provide Tk 1.5 crore for the 10th Men’s Asia Cup Hockey scheduled for October 11-22 at Maulana Bhashani National Stadium in Dhaka as well as for the preparations of the Bangladesh National Hockey team.A cheque for Tk 1 crore was handed over to the Hockey Federation at the function.Addressing the function, BHF general secretary Abdus Sadeque said they are keeping their eyes on the 6th place in the eight-nation Asia Cup although they were placed in tough Group-A along with India, Pakistan and Japan.”We have also a plan to invite China and Malaysia here ahead of the Asia Cup for the better preparations of the national side,” he added.The FSIBL MD said, “We like to continue as the sponsor of school hockey tournament which was stopped for the last two years.”Earlier, Bangladesh were put in strong Group A of the Asian meet along with Indian, Pakistan and Japan while Group B team comprises South Korea, Malaysia, China and Oman.Bangladesh will play stronger Pakistan in their first match on the opening day.Bangladesh national hockey team, now in China to play eight preparatory matches against different local teams as part of their preparations, lost first two matches.UNB news agency
