Emdad Rahman

The inaugural Bangladesh District Cup Cricket Competition UK has been officially launched and the festival of cricket is set to take the summer by storm.

The unique indoor competition has been organised with the aim to unite cricket enthusiasts from across Bangladesh who live in the UK.

The tournament organisers are hoping that the showpiece event will support the growth of recreational cricket and help promote integration amongst non-resident Bangladeshis by using their shared love of this global game.

This year sees an indoor 8 a side competition in East London during March 2019, comprised of 8 districts: Dhaka, Sunamganj, Khulna, Comilla, Maulvibazar, Chittagong, Mymensingh and Sylhet.

Jawar Ali, Director of Essex Cricket Board & General Secretary – BCSA UK commented at the launch event, “We want to support each other and grow cricket. We will link this tournament to Bangladesh Independence Day. Proceedings will take place at two arenas within the University of East London complex. This is all about inclusion and celebrate and bring together our communities.”

Shahidul Alam Ratan, CEO of Capital Kids Cricket and a former Bangladesh National Cricketer and Coach added, “We are the fastest growing cricket community in East London. This is very positive and we want to keep this momentum going. This is one way to connect everyone and a broader way of bringing everyone together. We are playing for fun, enjoyment and unity.”

Abdus Salam, President, Bangladesh Cricket Supporters Association (BSCA) UK concluded, “There will be great fun had by all. We ourselves will be playing – This event is organised by cricketers for cricketers Join us! Support us!”

All three cricketing personalities conducted a live draw at the official press conference held at the Blackwall Reach Community Centre.

Members of the community were able to meet the officials, managers, players and coaches.

Red Group

Mymensingh – Sylhet – Comilla – Sunamganj

Green Group

Chittagong – Moulvibazar – Dhaka – Khulna

In terms of eligibility any player over the age of 16 years can play. Three players over the age of thirty must be on the pitch during each game. Only players or their Father’s born within their respective District or those who have permanent residency can play.

All GDPR rules will be followed.

This year the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 will see Bangladesh battle against the top 9 other countries in a bid to be crowed World Cup winners.

Cricket is the most popular sport in Bangladesh and is the greatest source of unity amongst the Non Resident Bangladeshis (NRB) living in the UK.

Bangladesh will play across England & Wales in June & July 2019 with the NRB’s roaring them on.

The Bangladesh District Cup Cricket competition has been organised to unite cricket enthusiasts from across Bangladesh living in the UK. The organisers are supporting local Bangladesh community groups who traditionally do not mix outside of their district groups to meet other NRB’s in a bid to promote integration using their shared love of cricket.

About the organisers

This competition is being organised by the most experienced cricket organisers within the NRB community in the UK.

Together they have organised the most prestigious cricket competitions in the UK, are the leading figures within cricket in the community and have been nationally recognised by the England & Wales Cricket Board.

Jawar Ali – Director of Essex Cricket Board & General Secretary–BCSA UK

Abdus Salam – President, Bangladesh Cricket Supporters Association (BSCA) UK

Md Shahidul Alam Ratan – CEO Capital Kids Cricket & Former Bangladesh National Cricketer and Coach

Salman Ahmed – London Tigers Cricket Development Coordinator

Emdad Rahman (MBE) – Chairman, Scintilla CC, Sports Journalist, Community Coach and Activist

Sayfur Rahman – Cricketer & Trustee of Probashi Balaganj Osmani Nagar Adarsha Shomittee

Mokhlisur Rahman Suton – Cricketer and BPL T20 organiser

Team officials confirmed so far

Khulna

· Manager – Abu Sufian

· Captain – Nahid Nawaz Rana

· Sponsor – Sundarban Foundation

Sunamganj Sixers

· Manager – Bokul Hussain

· Assistant Manager – Rashed Ahmed

· Coach – Shah Rakib Kamali

· Captain – Salman Ahmed

· Sponsors – Bangla Town

Mymensingh

· Manager – Forhad Khan Pathan

· Captain Marwar Hossain

· Sponsor – Mahbub & Co Accountants

Chittagong

· Manager – Ibrahim Meah

· Captain – Ayaz Karim

· Sponsor – Target Properties

Maulvibazar

· Manager – Abdus Salam

· Captain – TBC

· Sponsor – Hathi Claims

Dhaka

· Manager – TBC

· Captain – Rahiq Uz Zaman

· Sponsor – TBC

Sylhet

· Manager – Emdad Rahman MBE

· Captain – Mokhlisur Rahman Suton

· Sponsor – Vallance Grill & PFC

