Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra Ltd, the country’s first domestic treble winning football club, are going to start the forthcoming domestic season 2023-24 with a big dream of championships in the all three major domestic leagues— Bangladesh Premier League, Federation Cup and Independence Cup.
Sheikh Russel KC Senior Vice-Chairman Liaquat Ali Khan said that they have formed a strong side with a bunch of dynamic and skilled footballers for the next season who have the ability to secure championships in all three major competitions.
“We have formed a strong side with a bunch of dynamic and skilled footballers for the next season. I believe that they have the ability to secure championships in all three major competitions. We will work together to make the club number one in Bangladesh,” said Liaquat.
The vice-chairman expressed his gratitude towards Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for supporting the country’s sports arena, especially football.
Then, he thanked Bashundhara Group Managing Director and Sheikh Russel KC Chairman Sayem Sobhan Anvir for his patronizing and supporting the country’s football as well as the club.
Meanwhile, Liaquat, who is also Sheikh Russel’s football standing committee’s vice-chairman, told reporters after a formal signing ceremony and meeting at the Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra Club Complex in Bashundhara Residential Area here on Tuesday.
Sheikh Russel’s Vice-Chairman Imdadul Haque Milon, Director In Charge Ismat Jamil Akhond, Director Finance Md Fakhruddin, Directors Habibur Rahman Khan, Md Abubakar, Md Hamidul Haque, Asaduzzaman ACS, Dr Sazzad Haider, permanent members Aminul Islam, Abu Sohel, Jewel Mazhar, life time members – Shah Alom, Khokon, Md Zakir Hossain, Nurul Nabi Bhuiyan Raju were present there.
Bashundhara Group Adviser (finance) Moinal Hossain Chowdhury, Ferdous Bin Siddique PS to MD, Mosahid PS to MD, Rohit Sen PS to MD, head coach Jugoslav Trenchovski, coaching staff and players were also present on the occasion.
Last season, Sheikh Russel finished fifth in the eleven-team point table of Bangladesh Premier League with 30 points from eight wins, six draws and six defeats.
They were just two points behind Mohammedan Sporting Club but six points ahead of Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club Ltd.
But the scenario was totally different during the first phase of BPL, the club were facing relegation threat after consistently losing points.
The credit must go to the club’s Chairman Sayem Sobhan Anvir who took the helm of the team at the right time.
Apart from improving positions in BPL, the club became runners-up in the season’s curtain raiser Independence Cup and ranked fourth in the other major league Federation Cup.
The club appointed Jugoslav Trenchovski as new coach this year. Jugoslav has already taken the charge and is working in two shifts to prepare the team for the domestic league.
The 46-year old North Macedonian earlier worked as assistant manager at Saudi Arabian club Al-Orobah FC, manager and youth coach at Kuwaiti club Al-Arabi SC and manager at Macedonian club AP Brera.
He was also manager of North Macedonia U-19 football team from February 2008 to December 2009.
The club also appointed Shahedul Alam Shahed as the team manager and Iftekhar Rahman Khan as assistant manager.
Abdul Baten Mojumder Komal has been appointed as the assistant coaches while Masum Ahmed Uzzal as the goalkeeping coach and Nujaim Khan Pranto as physiotherapist.
While asking Trenchovski about his plan for the club, he replied, “It is my first time in any South Asian country. I’m now trying to adopt the football culture here, trying to understand players and their situation.”
“I'm sure if I am able to form a good team, I will bring good results in the near future. But firstly I need some time to adopt the situation here and to clear my philosophy to my players,” he ended.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
