The 7th edition of inter-garments football tournament titled ‘BGMEA Cup’ will begin on September 29 at Uttara Sector 4 Kallyan Samiti field. Mid and upper-managements of 16 garment factories of the country will compete in the 8-A-Side football tournament which will be organized by Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). The BGMEA Cup 2022 players' auction was held at International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) , Dhaka on September 10 where the participating teams made additions to their squad, BGMEA said on Sunday. BGMEA President Faruque Hassan attended the player auction ceremony as the chief guest. BGMEA Vice President Shahidullah Azim, BGMEA Director Md. Imranur Rahman, garment entrepreneurs, players and representatives of sponsors were also present at the programme. Also read: Bangladesh, Indonesia need to work together as partners: BGMEA chief A total of 16 reowned garment companies in Bangladesh will participate in the tournament. They are FAKIR FASHION, AKH GROUP, URMI GROUP, SAYEM GROUP, BABYLON GROUP FARIHA GROUP EPYLLION GROUP,  SNOWTEX OUTERWEAR, AMAZING FASHIONS, APPARELS VILLAGE KIMS CORPORATION, EVINCE GROUP, TORQUE FASHIONS TEAM GROUP, LAILA GROUP, BANDO DESIGN The tournament is powered by “Turag Active” while Platinum Sponsors are  – SHELTECH, BUFT, FARIHA GROUP Gold Sponsors – CLUB11, TWELVE CLOTHING, SARA LIFESTYLE LTD, PORCELANOSA BANGLADESH, SPARROW, NIPA GROUP, ANTRIX SOLUTIONS LIMITED. Broadcast Partner – T-SPORTS Internet Partner- Aamra Gift Partner-CBL Munchee Fitness Partner-Movement Solutions BD Venue Partner- Uttara Kallyan Samiti. Also read: BGMEA seeks uninterrupted energy supply by special arrangements These are the partners of this football tournament. The 16 teams will be divided into 4 groups and the group stage matches will be played at Uttara Sector 4 Kallyan Samiti filed. The final match of the football tournament will be held at the Army Stadium at a later date. Md. Imranur Rahman, a Director of BGMEA and Managing Director of Bando Design Ltd, is a passionate footballer and an organizer who initiated the corporate football tournament in the garment industry ‘BGMEA Cup’ back in 2016.

The Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman National Gold Cup Football Tournament, Boys (Under-17) 2022 and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib National Gold Cup Football Tournament (Under-17) 2022 were inaugurated on Sunday. Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen inaugurated the tournaments at Sylhet District Stadium in the afternoon. At that time, the minister said, there are not many playgrounds in Sylhet. “I have told Sylhet city corporation (SCC) Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury that an initiative should be taken to build three more playgrounds on the other side of the river.” He further said that all those who play in the national team of Bangladesh come up from rural areas. The Awami League government is doing everything for the development of sports for the boys and girls of the rural areas. This tournament has been organised on the initiative of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, in collaboration with the Directorate of Sports, under the supervision of Sylhet District Administration. A total of 1,982 boys will participate in 105 unions and four municipalities at the upazila level of Sylhet district while 252 boys and 252 girls in 13 upazilas and a city corporation at the district level. The Ministry of Youth and Sports will select 40 boys and 40 girls from this age based tournament. Meanwhile, four players have been sent to Brazil for advanced training. Besides, from 2021, 11 boys will be sent to Brazil and 11 girls will be sent to Spain or Portugal. This event has been organised every year since 2018 with the aim of providing inspiration to the emerging players and improving the quality of football in the country.

Two former league champions --Sheikh Russel KC and Sheikh Jamal DC--made a good start in the 15-team Independence Cup Football’ 21 beating their rivals in two opening day’s matches of the Riviera Independence Cup Football ’21 at Bir Shrestha Shahid Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur here on Saturday. Earlier, Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni inaugurated the meet at a simple ceremony on Saturday afternoon. In the day’s inaugural match, Sheikh Russel KC defeated Uttar Baridhara Club by 1-0 goal. Mannaf Rabbi scored the match-winner for Sheikh Russel KC in the 59th minute. In the day’s other match, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club made a flying start outplaying Bangladesh Air Force team by 3-0 goals Saturday evening. Uzbek booter Otabek put Sheikh Jamal Dc ahead in the 16th minute (1-0), Gambian booter Solomon King doubled the margin in the 52 minute (2-0) while Shohanur sealed the fate of the match scoring the 3rd goal for Sheikh Jamal in the in the 54th minute (3-0). On Sunday, Mohammedan SC will encounter Muktijoddha Sangsad KC at 4 pm while Saif SC will encounter Bangladesh Army at 6 pm at the same venue. Dhaka Abahani Ltd will meet newcomers Swadhinata KS at 5:45 pm on Monday at the same venue. A total 15 teams including 12 premier division league clubs and three services teams, split into  four groups, are initially taking part on league basis matches from November 27 to December 8. Participating teams are: Group A– Dhaka Abahani Limited, Rahmatganj MFS and Swadhinata KS Group B: Sheikh Jamal DC, Sheikh Russel KC, Uttar Baridhara Club and Bangladesh Air Force. Group C: Saif Sporting Club , Mohammedan SC, Muktijoddha Sangsad KC and Bangladesh Army. Group D: Bashundhara Kings, Chittagong Abahani Ltd, Bangladesh Police and Bangladesh Navy   Later, four group champions and runners-up teams, will play in the quarterfinals on December 10 and 12.  The two semifinals will be held on December 14 and the final match will be held on December 18.   

Pran-Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) Football Tournament’ 2021 begins on Sunday at Shaheed (Captain) M Mansur Ali Handball National Stadium in the capital. A total of 50 media houses, split into eight groups, are initially taking part on knock out base meet, organized by Dhaka Reporters Unity. Later, eight group champion teams will play in the quarterfinals. Read: Pakistan wrap up series beating Bangladesh by eight wickets DRU Sports Secretary Maksuda Lisa disclosed the details of the meet at a press conference at the Nasrul Hamid Auditorium of DRU on Saturday. DRU President Morsalin Nomani, general secretary Moshiur Rahman Khan and Head of the Corporate Brand of the meet’s sponsor Pran-RFL Group Nurul Absar also spoke on the occasion. Read: Jatiya Press Club sports festival begins Eight matches will be held on the opening day (Sunday) from 9 am to 12:30 pm.  

Bangladesh footballers will play hosts Sri Lanka in their 3nd and final group phase match of the Mahinda  Rajapaksa Four Nations International Football Tournament on Tuesday with hopes of securing a place in the final.   The match will kick-off at 9:30 pm (Bangladesh time) at Racecourse ground in Colombo. Read:Four Nations Football: Bangladesh earn long-awaited win upsetting Maldives 2-1 Bangladesh are currently top of the table with an unbeaten record securing four points from two matches with a +1 goal difference, and need just a draw against Sri Lanka to book their final berth. African nation Seychelles are second behind Bangladesh securing same points,  and also need just a draw against the Maldives Tuesday afternoon at 4:30 pm to confim their final berth. The Maldives and hosts Sri Lanka are in “must win” situation to keep their final hopes alive.     After the league basis three-match first round, top two teams of the four-nation meet will play final on November 19. Earlier, Bangladesh started their campaign with a frustrating note after playing out a 1-1 draw with the Seychelles despite dominating the match and leading till the 87th minute last Wednesday. Bangladesh smartly bounced back beating the strong Maldives side after 18 years by 2-1 goals in their 2nd match last Saturday at the same venue. Earlier in the tournament opener last Tuesday, coming from behind, hosts Sri Lanka played to a 4-4 draw with their neighbor the Maldives while Seychelles beat hosts Sri Lanka by 1-0 goal in another match on Saturday. Read:Four Nations Football: Bangladesh play 1-1 draw with Seychelles In their last pre-match press conference on Monday at the team hotel, Bangladesh captain Jamal Bhuiyan and head coach Mario Lemos sounded a confident note on doing the needful to reach the final.   Standings after two matches (Tabulating under match played, win, draw, loss, goal for, goal against, goal difference and pointss) Teams               M     W       D      L     GF     GA     GD       pts Bangladesh         2       1        1       0      3       2        1         4 Seychelles          2        1        1      0       2       1        1         4 Maldives             2        0        1      1        5      6       -1         1 Sri Lanka            2        0        1       1        4      5      -1         1

Bangladesh stayed in the final race of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksha Trophy Four Nations International Football Tournament upsetting upper ranked Maldives by 2-1 goal in their 2nd match at the Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo on Saturday. It was not only a sweet revenge of Bangladesh in their 0-2 goal defeat against the Maldives in the SAFF Championship in Male five weeks before, but also their dream win against the island nation after about 18 years.   Bangladesh played the Maldives on five occasions since 2003, and lost four matches featuring an embracing 0-5 goal defeat. The rest match between them ended in draw.    Bangladesh miserably played to a 1-1 with lowly African side Seychelles in their first match despite leading by 1-0 goal till 87th minute at the same venue last Wednesday. Read: Four Nations Football: Bangladesh play 1-1 draw with Seychelles Earlier in the tournament opener on last Tuesday, hosts Sri Lanka, coming from behind, drew 4-4 with the Maldives at the same venue. In the day’s match, captain cum medio Jamal Bhuiyan put Bangladesh ahead in the 12th minute utilizing a long throw of Rahmat Miah (1-0). Mohamed Umair restored the parity for the Maldives in the 32nd minute capitalizing on a corner kick, taken by Ali Ashraf to tie the 1-1 in the first half. Defender Topu Barman scored the long awaited match-winner for Bangladesh in the 88th minute from a penalty (2-1). Bangladesh got the spot kick when onrushing Jewel Rana of Bangladesh, was illegally tackled by Maldives custodian in the danger zone.   Read: Four Nations Football: Host Sri Lanka plays out 4-4 draw with Maldives

Title aspirant Bashundhara Kings extended their unbeaten run to 17 matches in the 13-team Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football after beating Dhaka Mohammedan 1-0 Wednesday. As the hard-fought second phase match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium was about to end in a draw, Argentine forward Raul Becerra netted the match-winner for the Kings in the stoppage time (90+4 minute). Also read: BPL Football: Abahani, Mohammedan play out 1-1 draw The Kings' Yeasin and Sujon of Mohammedan got red cards. With Wednesday's win, star-studded Kings stayed at the top of the table with 49 points from 17 matches, 16 points ahead of their nearest rivals Dhaka Abahani who bagged 33 points from 16 encounters. Also read: BPL Football: Bashundhara continue unbeaten run beating Rahmatganj 2-1 Mohammedan remained at the fourth slot with 29 points from 17 matches. The day's other match between Brothers Union Club and Bangladesh Police ended in a goalless draw.

Agrani Bank Sporting Club defeated Farashganj Sporting Club 2-1 in the second phase match of the 12-team Bangladesh Championship League (BCL) Football 2020-21 Wednesday. Titu opened the scoring for the winners in the ninth minute (1-0), while Farashganj's Rajon neutralised the threat in the 11th minute (1-1) at the Kamalapur Stadium. However, Rahman scored the match-winner for Agrani Bank in the 64th minute (2-1). Also read: BCL Football: Both matches end in draws Friday In Wednesday's other match, Uttara Football Club outplayed Victoria SC 4-0 at the same venue. Hasan struck twice in the 18th and 28th minutes (2-0); Sakib scored the third goal in the 73rd minute (3-0) while Masud sealed the fate of the match, scoring the fourth goal (4-0) in the stoppage time (90+2 minute). Also read: BCL Football: Wanderers play 1-1 draw with Farashganj On Tuesday, Fakirerpool Youngmen's Club earned a facile 4-1 victory over NoFel Sporting Club; Dhaka City FC drew 1-1 with Fortis Football Club at the same venue.

The 47th Copa America Championship is being organized by the South American Football Confederation and Argentina will host the month-long tournament from June 13 to July 10 this year. The South American football championship is recognized as one of the most prestigious football competitions after the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship. So, there is a vast interest among fans all over the world regarding Copa America. Brazil is the defending champion, and Uruguay have the most trophy (15) in the competition's history. So, things you need to know about Copa America 2021 are discussed in this article.      Why Copa America 2021 is delayed for a year? The tournament was supposed to take place from June 12 to July 12, 2020. But like other sporting events around the world, this competition also had to postpone due to the outbreak of coronavirus. The South American football federation (CONMEBOL) declared on March 17, 2020, that the tournament would be postponed for a year because of the COVID-19 outbreak across the continent. The novel coronavirus in the South American continent started affecting sporting events from March and a number of tournaments were deferred for later dates. Similarly, CONMEBOL federation had to postpone the Copa Libertadores. On the other side, FIFA also suspended the first two rounds of South American qualifying for the Qatar World Cup 2022. In the same month, the South American Football Federation confirmed that the Copa America would not be held as planned due to the risk of covid-19 infection. Instead, the tournament will therefore take place in June and July of 2021. Read: Tamim, Shakib and Mustafizur Reach Unique Milestones in the first ODI against Sri Lanka In Argentina, where will the matches take place? Initially, the 2021 South American Championships were to be co-hosted by Colombia and Argentina. Colombia eventually withdrew its names as organizers owing to political unrest. As a result, Argentina will be hosting the Copa America tournament all alone. Three or four more venues may be added to the four that have already been confirmed. The tournament will be held between the middle of June and the middle of July. The following cities so far have been confirmed to host the matches of the tournament: Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Mendoza and Santiago del Estero. The following stadiums have been confirmed to host the matches: Estadio Monumental: minimum 5 matches Estadio Malvinas Argentinas: minimum 3 matches Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes: minimum 3 matches Estadio Único: minimum 2 matches  Read: Five reasons behind Bangladesh's win over Sri Lanka in the first ODI Who will play who in the group phase? The format of the tournament is that the top four teams from each group will secure the quarterfinals. After that, the best two teams will play the final after going through two more phases of the knockout stage.    Let's take a quick look at the two groups Group A Group B Argentina Colombia Bolivia Brazil Uruguay Venezuela Chile Ecuador Paraguay Peru  Prize Money for the Copa America 2021 The overall prize money for the event is estimated to be around $20 million. As soon as the teams reach the knockout stage, they will be awarded large sums of money. If a team makes it to the quarterfinals, they will get $1.5 million. The fourth-place team will receive $2.5 million, while the third-place team will receive $3 million. Meanwhile, the runner-up will receive $3.5 million and the champion team will get $6.5 million.    Read: What Bangladesh's World Cup 2023 squad would look like? Bottom Line The information provided above includes things you need to know about Copa America 2021. The Copa America Championship will be held after resolving all of the challenges caused by the pandemic coronavirus. Spectators may or may not be permitted inside the stadium depending on the state of covid-19 across the continent. The tournament committee is devoted to following the health regulations in order to limit the danger of coronavirus infection. Hopefully, the tournament will be well-organized.

Brazilian striker Nixon Brizolara on Saturday helped Chittagong Abahani finish the first phase of the 13-team Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football on a winning note, beating Muktijoddha Sangsad.