Photo: Collected
The ABG University Cup, featuring the cricket and football teams of 10 private universities in the country, gets under way today. The youth festival is being held at ABG Sports City, a sporting venue that has previously thrilled spectators with football, cricket, boxing and other events, and has also played host to international competitions.
The opening day will feature cricket. Sonargaon University and American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) will play the opening match at the Anvir Cricket Stadium at 5pm. In the second match, at 8pm, Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) will take on Daffodil International University.
The tournament has generated huge excitement at the universities for several weeks. General students joined cricketers and footballers in campus activation programmes. The heat of rivalry has spread across campuses even before a ball has been kicked, with discussion and debate over which university will take home the champions’ trophy.
The universities have worked hard to assemble teams of their best players and have prepared to show the very best of their abilities. Every participating team has the same goal: to become champions.
The tournament’s jerseys and trophy were unveiled at a glittering ceremony last Thursday. A ‘Captains’ Meet’ was held there in the presence of the 20 captains of the cricket and football teams, and the teams were handed their colourful jerseys.
ABG Group Chairman Sayem Sobhan Anvir has played a major role in organising the ABG University Cup. Speaking at the jersey and trophy unveiling ceremony, ABG Sports City Director Imrul Hasan said, ‘This effort of ours is driven by the inspiration of Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan and the sincere wish and interest of his worthy son, ABG Group Chairman Sayem Sobhan Anvir. This new initiative began under his guidance.’
The Anvir Cricket Stadium and the Bashundhara Kings Arena have gained recognition beyond the country’s borders on the international stage. Cricketers from world champions West Indies toured the stadium and praised it. The Bashundhara Kings Arena, meanwhile, has received recognition from FIFA, football’s highest governing body, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Teams such as Australia, Palestine and Lebanon have played at the ground, as have the Maldives and Afghanistan. The Kings Arena has also hosted AFC Cup matches. As a host of international teams and competitions, ABG Sports City has carved out an important place in the country’s sporting arena.
The venue also hopes to strengthen its position on cricket’s world stage. A new cricket stadium is being built at ABG Sports City with the aim of hosting the 2031 Cricket World Cup; the authorities expect construction to be completed by 2027.
The venue’s name has also become linked with the football World Cup. Australia, who played a qualifying match at the Bashundhara Kings Arena, took part in the World Cup held in the United States. This time, the two venues will come alive with the footsteps of young university cricketers and footballers.
Cricket Group A comprises University of Scholars, BRAC University, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB), Independent University, Bangladesh and Daffodil International University. Group B features North South University, Sonargaon University, Far East International University, American International University-Bangladesh and United International University.
Football Group A comprises Daffodil International University, North South University, Independent University, Bangladesh, United International University and Far East International University. Group B features University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, University of Scholars, American International University-Bangladesh, BRAC University and Sonargaon University.
The teams are ready and so are the venues; all that remains is the battle on the field. With today’s opening, the universities’ contest for supremacy begins.
Background
According to an Ittefaq report of 11 October, this is the first time the tournament is being held, with cricket and football competitions running side by side under floodlights at night.
Desh Rupantor reported that Sayem Sobhan Anvir unveiled the tournament logo at a ‘Captains’ Meet and Greet’ held at the ABG chairman’s residence in Bashundhara Residential Area on the night of 10 October.
Sources
Background sources: Ittefaq, 11 October 2026; Desh Rupantor
