The 19th edition of the Ascent Corporate Cup, Bangladesh's longest-running amateur corporate five-a-side football tournament, will kick off on Thursday at the Scholastica Uttara Campus.
Launched in 2006, the tournament has established itself as one of the country's leading amateur corporate futsal competitions, bringing together teams from leading organisations and football enthusiasts, according to a press release.
Organisers said the competition has become increasingly competitive over the years, leading to the introduction of two divisions in 2024 – Premier League for elite teams and the Championship League for emerging and developing sides.
A major highlight of this year's tournament will be the Legacy Match, an exhibition fixture to be played before the Championship League final to promote football's role in fostering inclusion and social impact.
This year's Legacy Match will be held in partnership with Thrive and will feature young footballers from underprivileged schools in Dhaka's informal settlements.
The 30-minute match will showcase two teams of aspiring players, with the emphasis on talent, opportunity and inclusion.
For many of the participants, it will be their first opportunity to play in a world-class indoor futsal arena. Organisers said the children will compete on the same court, under the same conditions and receive the same recognition and medals as players in the main tournament, reflecting the event's commitment to equal opportunity through sport.
Ascent Group has been the title sponsor of the Corporate Cup since 2008.