The first phase of the Al Arafah Islami Bank National Youth Hockey Tournament' 2022 begins on Thursday at the Maulana Bhasani National Stadium here.
President of Bangladesh Hockey Federation and Chief of Bangladesh Air Force Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan will inaugurate the meet as the chief guest.
Chairman of the meet's sponsor Al Arafah Islami Bank Alhaj Salim Rahman will also attend the function as special guest.
Two matches of Dhaka zone will be held on the opening day (Thursday).
Hosts Dhaka DSA will play Shariatpur DSA at 1:45 pm while defending champions BKSP will play Narayanganj DSA at 3:30 pm in two opening day's fixture.
A record 57 teams will initially compete in the first phase in nine zonal venues across the country.
The nine zonal venues are: Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Narail, Dinajpur, Joypurhat, Faridpur, Cumilla and Chattogram.
Bangladesh Hockey Federation arranging the national youth hockey meet this time after a long gap of five years.