Desk Report:
With the aim of fostering the development of the nation’s sports landscape and cultivating a professional sports culture at the university level, the mega sporting event ‘ABG University Cup 2026’ is set to begin on September 25. The event is being organized under the vision and guidance of Sayem Sobhan Anvir, Chairman of the Anvir Bashundhara Group (ABG).
In preparation for the tournament, a grand ‘Captains’ Conference’ was held on Thursday (October 22, 2026) at the Zulkan Indoor Arena, located within the ABG Sports City in the Bashundhara Residential Area.
The conference was attended by 20 team captains (representing both cricket and football teams) from 10 leading private universities, along with university representatives and students. During the event, the overall preparations for the tournament were reviewed, the rules of play were discussed, and an official draw was conducted to determine the group stage alignments. Additionally, the tournament’s official jerseys and the championship trophy were unveiled, and jerseys were distributed among the players.
Organized under the initiative and patronage of ABG Chairman Sayem Sobhan Anvir, the tournament features a unique highlight: for the first time, both cricket and football competitions will be held simultaneously under floodlights. The 10 participating private universities will compete in separate categories for cricket and football, with teams divided into two groups.
Group Alignments:
Cricket Tournament:
Group ‘A’: BRAC University, Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB), University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB), The University of Scholars, and Daffodil International University.
Group ‘B’: American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB), North South University, Sonargaon University, United International University (UIU), and Fareast International University. Football Tournament:
Group ‘A’: North South University, Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB), United International University (UIU), Fareast International University, and Daffodil International University.
Group ‘B’: American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB), BRAC University, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB), Sonargaon University, and The University of Scholars.
To further encourage the younger generation to participate in sports, a prize pool has been announced: the champion team in each category—cricket and football—will receive 1 million BDT, while the runners-up will receive 500,000 BDT.
Md. Imrul Hasan, Director of ABG Sports City, attended the captains’ conference as the chief guest. Other notable attendees included Abdul Bari, Media Advisor to Bashundhara Group; Md. Liakat Hossain and Md. Nazmul Alam Bhuiyan, Advisors to ABG Sports City; Tasvir-ul-Islam, Executive Director of T-Sports; Salman Hasan, Operations Manager (Football); and Ikram Hossain Rafi, Operations Manager (Cricket).
Speaking as the chief guest, Md. Imrul Hasan, Director of ABG Sports City, stated, “The ABG University Cup begins with football and cricket. We intend to expand this initiative in the future by incorporating a wider range of events. Our goal is to create a platform for talented university-level athletes—a space where they can showcase their skills and potential, ultimately paving the way for them to contribute to the national sports arena.” Highlighting the contributions of the Bashundhara Group, he further stated, “The contribution of Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan to the sporting landscape of Bangladesh needs no introduction. Through the sponsorship of various sports at both national and international levels, the construction of world-class infrastructure, and the launch of innovative initiatives, we have long played a pivotal role in the nation’s sports sector. ‘ABG Sports City’—one of the largest sports infrastructure complexes in the subcontinent—stands as a shining testament to that vision and commitment.”
The ‘ABG University Cup 2026’ is being launched under the vision and guidance of Bashundhara Group Chairman Sayem Sobhan Anvir.
“Over time, the ABG University Cup will grow larger and more robust, establishing a strong, distinct presence within the country’s sporting arena.”
The organizers and the participating team captains anticipate that this tournament will foster team cohesion and leadership qualities among the students, while also serving as a springboard for the emergence of the next generation of talented national-level athletes.
