Members of Bangladesh Hockey Masters team will leave Dhaka tomorrow Saturday (18 November) to participate in the World Masters Hockey Asian Championship. Bangladesh Hockey Federation General Secretary A K M Mominul Haque Saeed is in the charge of team leader in the 28 member team. Also Mohammad Humayun, member of the Federation Executive Committee as manager, assistant manager Khawaja Harees and former coach of the national team Mahboob Haroon. The rest of the team are: Khawaja Taher Latif Munna, Shakil Hossain, Al Islam Rubel, Monirul Islam, Ariful Haque Prince, Mahabubul Ehsan Rana, Shahidullah Titu, Shahidullah Khokan, Rahul Kanti Roy, Jamilur Rahman, Monir Hossain, Khawaja Nader, Jane Alam, Jamil Ahmed Hassan, Abul Hasnat, Nazmul Alam, Sabith Hassan, KM Wasif, Sabbir Ahmed, Revolution Bose, Saiful Islam, Azharul Islam, Syed Rayhan Hussain and Mohammad Nasser.
Red-green representatives are taking part in the World Masters Hockey Asian Championships for the first time. Masters participate in three categories in this age-based international assembly. 40 years old and above, 45 years old and above and former players aged 50 years old and above. Bangladesh will play in the age category of 40 and above. Teams will fight against each other by dividing in different groups. Malaysia is strong in Bangladesh group, will play welcome Hong Kong apart from Singapore. First match of Bangladesh on 21 November. Then the second and third match of the group will be played on 22nd and 23rd November respectively. The best two teams of each group will play in the final. So, if they can keep their position in the group in three matches, then Bangladesh Masters Hockey Team members will get the chance to play in the final. The final will be held on 26th November. And Bangladesh will leave Hong Kong towards Dhaka on 28 November.
Bangladesh Hockey Federation General Secretary A K M Mominul Haque Saeed is happy to have participated in such a prestigious result. He also described it as the new age of Bangladesh Hockey. Mominul Haque Saeed also said, ‘Bangladesh Hockey Federation is going to create a new-age, new history through participating in the World Masters Hockey Asian Championships. Under the supervision of Bangladesh Hockey Federation, our players are participating in this through Bangladesh Masters Hockey Committee. The tournament is a tournament approved by FIH and AHF. All our players who are still in practice after quitting the game will be more excited through this tournament and Bangladesh hockey will go ahead through them. Through our senior players, we can highlight the honor of the country, our national flag, the 30 million martyrs of this country. ’
Coach-player Mahboob Haroon said about participating in the World Masters Hockey Asian Championship, ‘We don’t have that time or age to play in Bangladesh jersey anymore. If we former players can take part in an Asian championship and do good there that’s a lot. We practice Veteran Hockey team every Friday a week. Members of that organization are going to play this tournament in Hong Kong. ’
Khawaja Taher Latif Munna, one of the team members and executive committee member of Bangladesh Hockey Federation said, ‘We have got the opportunity to play in this tournament through our Federation General Secretary Mominul Haque Saeed Bhai. When we went to Korea we talked to the masters of the Asian Hockey Federation about Masters Hockey. Since this tournament is under AHF; we are told to be included. As we take part in regular practice, games through Veteran Hockey Organization. That is our local organization. Now that team is going to play internationally as Masters Hockey team. Only those above 35 can play this tournament. Everyone in our team is former hockey players; some have played in the national team for a long time, many have the experience of playing in a home league tournament.
