The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) unveiled the trophy for its 2026 corporate football tournament on Saturday, with the apparel industry body also seeking a government field in Dhaka to develop for sports.
The trophy unveiling, a BGMEA-Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) partnership celebration and a mega auction for the tournament’s 16 teams were held at the BGMEA Complex. The competition is scheduled to begin on 22 October.
State Minister for Sports Md Aminul Haque, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan and BFF Vice-President Fahad Mohammad Ahmed Karim unveiled the trophy at the event.
BGMEA Vice-President for Finance Mizanur Rahman urged the government to allocate one of Dhaka’s unused fields to BGMEA, saying the association would modernise and maintain it with support from corporate sponsors.
BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said the association was working to include sports in the curriculum of BGMEA University and expected it to be incorporated into the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan (BKSP) curriculum as well.
He said BGMEA, despite being a trade organisation, was involved in various social and national activities and would develop and maintain a suitable field in Dhaka if one was allocated to it.
State Minister Md Aminul Haque said the government was seeking greater corporate involvement in sports and had introduced a sports allowance for athletes. Responding to BGMEA’s request, he gave a positive indication about allocating a field in Uttara Phase III.
BFF Vice-President Fahad Mohammad Ahmed Karim said BGMEA was a well-organised family and the two organisations could jointly promote Bangladesh internationally.
The event also featured a presentation on the BGMEA-BFF partnership and a video highlighting women garment workers’ football skills alongside their factory work.
BGMEA Secretary General Major General Md Shahedul Islam (retd) delivered the welcome address.
The event was attended by BGMEA Senior Vice-President Inamul Haque Khan, Vice-President Md Rezwan Selim, Director Shah Raiad Chowdhury, Director Nafis-Ud-Doula, Director Zoardar Mohammad Hossain Kumar Alam, former Director Md Imranur Rahman, Sports Committee Chairman Md Sazzad Ali Khan and Sustainable Energy Committee Chairman Md Saifur Rahman Sapu, among others.
The 16-team mega auction marked the launch of the final competition ahead of its 22 October start.
