Mohammad Khorshed Helali, Cox’s Bazar:
The much-anticipated final of the Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Gold Cup Football Tournament is set for Sunday (May 11). The star-studded Cox’s Bazar District team will face Comilla District in their quest for a hat-trick of titles on home soil. The thrilling match will kick off at 3 PM at the Bir Shrestha Ruhul Amin Stadium in Cox’s Bazar.
Both teams have proven their mettle to reach the final. In the regional final at the Rangamati venue, Cox’s Bazar defeated the favorite Chattogram District team in a nail-biting tiebreaker (4-2). Meanwhile, Comilla secured their place in the final by beating Brahmanbaria District in their regional final at home.
Cox’s Bazar has emerged as a hub for producing quality football players for the national stage. A record 17 players from Cox’s Bazar are currently playing in the country’s top-tier B-League, with stars like Ibrahim, Sushanta, Hasan Murad, Ziku, and Shahed being consistent performers in the national team. Initially, players like Bappi and Rimon strengthened Cox’s B team, which dominated the Rangamati stage. Now, despite not having their entire B-League roster, the team management has skillfully brought in talents like Kaushik, Monir Alam, Bappi, Minhaj, and Sagar. Adding national stars Ibrahim and Hasan Murad to the squad gives them a significant edge over their opponents.
However, Comilla is no pushover. Their team comprises seasoned and battle-tested players from Dhaka’s football scene, promising an electrifying contest.
Cox’s Bazar District Coach Masud Alam stated, “We are the reigning champions, and we are determined to defend the title on home ground. Comilla is undoubtedly a strong team, having proven their worth to get this far. It’s going to be a tough match.”
On the other hand, Cox’s Bazar Additional Deputy Commissioner (Overall) Imran Hossain Sajib mentioned that the Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Sheikh Abdur Rashid, will attend the post-match prize distribution ceremony as the chief guest. The event will be presided over by Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Dr. Md. Ziauddin.
District Sports Officer and Member Secretary of the District Sports Association, Md. Alauddin, stated that fans can enjoy the match between the two powerful teams from the gallery without tickets, adding to the excitement for Cox’s Bazar’s football enthusiasts.
