Desk Report:
A long-standing challenge within Bangladesh’s sports sector has been the lack of modern infrastructure. There have been limited initiatives to create a comprehensive sporting environment—one that includes international-standard playing fields, advanced training facilities, and dedicated gyms and rehabilitation centers for athletes. Against this backdrop, the establishment of ABG Sports City in the capital’s Bashundhara Residential Area has opened doors to new possibilities for sports in the country. By providing state-of-the-art facilities for a wide range of disciplines—from football and cricket to squash and hockey—this sports complex is not merely transforming infrastructure; it is reshaping the very culture and environment in which sports are practiced.
Spanning approximately 300 bighas of land, ABG Sports City stands as a remarkable example of private-sector initiative in the Bangladeshi sports arena. It reflects the long-term vision, investment, and commitment to sports championed by the Bashundhara Group. Such an integrated sports complex, developed by a private corporate entity, is a rarity in South Asia. Consequently, ABG Sports City has not only carved out a distinct identity within the national sports landscape but has also created an opportunity to showcase Bangladesh’s capabilities on the international stage.
The Bashundhara Group—which has been involved in various social responsibility initiatives alongside its business expansion since the 1980s—began the development of this sports city in 2019. Its primary objective extends beyond the mere construction of playing fields; it aims to encourage the younger generation to engage in sports, foster the development of talented athletes, and elevate the country’s sports sector to international standards. To realize this vision, the necessary infrastructure for various sports, including football and cricket, has been developed in phases.
ABG Sports City serves as a tangible demonstration of how private-sector participation can drive significant progress in the promotion of sports nationwide. The regular sporting events hosted at its fields and training centers are sparking renewed interest among the youth. Furthermore, it is expanding opportunities for individuals to embrace sports—whether as a form of recreation, a path to a healthy lifestyle, or a professional career. Such initiatives can play a vital role in steering the youth away from drug addiction and negative activities, while engaging them in pursuits that foster their physical and mental development.
A key attraction within the ABG Sports City is the Bashundhara Kings Arena. Designed for international-standard football, this venue has already carved out a significant place for itself in the Bangladeshi sports landscape. When the national stadium became unsuitable for hosting international football matches, the Kings Arena emerged as a viable alternative for the country. It has hosted events such as FIFA World Cup qualifier home matches, AFC Cup fixtures, and South Asian age-group women’s football tournaments. Consequently, it has played a crucial role in reducing reliance on foreign venues for hosting international matches.
Another testament to the international standing of the Kings Arena is the visit by a technical delegation associated with the Brazilian national football team. Last August, in the lead-up to a FIFA friendly match between Brazil and India, a technical team arrived in Bangladesh to evaluate the pitch and the venue’s facilities. They inspected both the national stadium in Dhaka and the Bashundhara Kings Arena. The delegation praised the Kings Arena’s pitch, training grounds, player gym, and recovery facilities, noting that they meet international standards. Such recognition is not merely a success for a single sports facility; it also sends a positive message regarding the overall state of sports infrastructure in Bangladesh.
Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, Chairman of the Bashundhara Group, envisions long-term, transformative change within the sports sector. The sports city, developed under his initiative, places a strong emphasis on the younger generation. His four sons—Sadat Sobhan Tanvir, Safiat Sobhan Sanvir, Sayem Sobhan Anvir, and Safwan Sobhan Tasvir—are actively contributing to this endeavor through their keen interest in sports and their ongoing patronage. Their goal extends beyond simply building their own sports complex; they aim to broaden and invigorate the practice of sports across the entire nation. ABG Chairman Sayem Sobhan Anvir believes there is significant potential to create new opportunities within Bangladeshi football. In a statement published in Kaler Kantho on October 18, 2021, he noted that while football is one of the most popular and compelling sports globally, it has not received the attention it deserves in Bangladesh. He envisions that the academy at the Bashundhara Sports Complex will produce high-caliber footballers in the future, and that if other business entities also step forward to support the sports sector, the development of sports in the country will accelerate. He also harbors the dream of seeing Bangladesh compete on the stage of the FIFA World Cup.
Legendary hockey player and sports personality Abdus Sadek has offered a positive assessment of the initiatives taken by the Bashundhara Group in the national sports arena. In remarks published in Kaler Kantho on January 12, 2026, he stated that the Bashundhara Group has taken a major stride in the country’s sports sector by constructing fields, stadiums, and various sports infrastructure. He highlighted the success of Bashundhara Kings, the group’s interest in cricket, the installation of a turf for hockey, and their efforts to promote padel tennis in Bangladesh. In his view, if other business organizations also come forward to form teams and provide sponsorship, the nation’s sports landscape will flourish further.
The support from the management has consistently been positive. They are optimistic that the benefits of the initiatives undertaken at ABG Sports City will become increasingly evident across the nation’s sporting landscape in the coming years.
According to Imrul Hasan, the development of modern sports infrastructure is expanding opportunities for training and competition across various disciplines, while simultaneously creating new avenues for employment. The sports city also encourages a healthy lifestyle by engaging young people in sports.
On February 17, 2022, Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, Chairman of the Bashundhara Group, officially inaugurated the Bashundhara Kings Arena. The following year, on September 3, the venue hosted its first international match—a contest against Afghanistan. Since then, the venue’s scope has broadened through the hosting of both international and domestic football events.
With the aim of nurturing the next generation of footballers, a non-residential football academy was launched at ABG Sports City on October 5, 2024. Plans are in place to transition into a residential academy once the construction of dormitories is completed. This will provide a structured environment for talented youth to receive regular training and develop into skilled athletes. Stakeholders anticipate that, in the long term, this academy will produce players capable of competing at the national level.
Progress is also being made in cricket. The Bangladesh national team has played an international match against Malaysia at the Anvir Cricket Stadium. Furthermore, there are plans to host preparatory matches for visiting international teams. In addition to international fixtures, the venue has hosted matches for the Premier Cricket League, and the ABG Cricket Network team has begun participating in the league. These activities are expanding the scope for cricket training, competition, and player development.
Beyond football and cricket, ABG Sports City is increasingly hosting a variety of other sports. Recently, it served as the venue for an international squash tournament, which featured participants from 11 countries, including Bangladesh. The second edition of the international combat sports competition, ‘Zulcan Fighting Championship’ (ZFC-2: Pride of Bangladesh)—featuring participants from seven countries—has already been organized.
To promote sports at the university level, initiatives have been taken to host football and cricket tournaments this month, each involving 10 private universities. There are plans to expand the scope of these competitions in the future. This will not only encourage university students to engage in regular sports activities but also create new opportunities for the development of their talent.
The installation of an astroturf for hockey is nearing completion. Once operational, it will provide an enhanced environment for both training and competition, potentially paving the way for hosting international hockey matches and tournaments. By developing the necessary infrastructure for various sports, ABG Sports City is evolving into a multi-disciplinary sports hub.
As part of its future development plans, ABG Sports City has decided to name several key facilities: the cricket stadium will be known as ‘Shah Alam Cricket Stadium,’ the hockey stadium as ‘Abdus Sadek Stadium,’ and the international-standard swimming pool as ‘Abdus Sobhan Swimming Pool.’
Naming these sports facilities after Shah Alam and Abdus Sadek serves as a tribute to their significant contributions to the nation’s sporting landscape. Meanwhile, Abdus Sobhan—the father of Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan—was a member of the first batch of students at the University of Dhaka. An accomplished swimmer, he even competed as part of the ‘Bengal’ team during his time. Naming the swimming pool after him honors his personal history and involvement in sports.
Furthermore, ABG Sports City is planning to host a unique sports and entertainment festival featuring several of the country’s traditional clubs. Such an event would boost the participation of sports enthusiasts and foster new avenues for interaction and competition among the various clubs. The development of sports in Bangladesh does not rely solely on the presence of talented athletes; it requires regular training, modern infrastructure, efficient management, competitive opportunities, and long-term sponsorship. The ABG Sports City initiative has created the potential to advance all these areas simultaneously.
By constructing grounds and training facilities for various sports, hosting international competitions, developing athletes through academies, and encouraging youth participation in sports, this sports city serves as a significant addition to the nation’s sporting landscape. As its operations expand, it will foster the emergence of new talent, generate employment within the sports sector, and enhance Bangladesh’s profile on the international stage.
This initiative by the Bashundhara Group may also inspire other business entities in the country to invest in sports infrastructure and sponsorship. In this context, the significance of ABG Sports City will extend beyond the confines of a mere sports complex, evolving into part of a broader sporting movement. ABG Sports City has already carved out a notable position in the journey toward making sports in Bangladesh more organized, modern, and internationally competitive.
