The 19th Ascent Corporate Cup, Bangladesh’s oldest and most prestigious amateur corporate 5-a-side football tournament, will kick off on Thursday at the Scholastica Uttara Campus.
Since its inception in 2006, the tournament has become a landmark event in the country’s amateur football calendar, bringing together leading corporate teams and futsal enthusiasts, reads a press release.
The tournament has been title-sponsored by Ascent Group since 2008. A leader in education, publishing and healthcare, the group has played a key role in supporting the growth of corporate futsal in Bangladesh.
Following the tournament’s increasing competitiveness, it has been divided into two divisions since 2024, the Premier League for elite teams and the Championship League for emerging and developing sides.
This year’s tournament is supported by:
- Title Sponsor: Ascent Group
- Co-Sponsors: Turaag Active and Securex
- Associate Sponsors: Emkay Enterprises, Polar Ice Cream, Interport Group and BG Interactive
- Gift Partner: Gold Kinen
- News Partner: The Business Standard
- Wi-Fi Partner: Aamra Networks
- Hydration Partner: SMC Plus
A defining tradition of the tournament is the Ascent Legacy Match, played before the Championship Final.
Each year, the exhibition match highlights organisations that use football as a platform for inclusion, opportunity and social impact. Previous partners have included the JAAGO Foundation, the Bangladesh Wheelchair Cricket Association and Power of She.
This year, the Ascent Legacy Match will partner with Thrive to celebrate the talent and potential of young footballers from underprivileged schools in Dhaka’s informal settlements.
The 30-minute exhibition match will feature two teams of aspiring players, with the emphasis on potential rather than poverty, and opportunity rather than charity.
For many of the children, it will be their first opportunity to play in a world-class indoor futsal arena. They will compete on the same court, under the same lights, and receive the same recognition and medals as every participant in the Ascent Corporate Cup, reinforcing the tournament’s belief that on the football pitch there are no titles, no privilege and no prejudice—only talent, respect and opportunity.
