The first-ever Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Academy Championship’ 2023-24 under the talent hunt and development scheme of the World football body FIFA will begin simultaneously at 24 zonal venues across the country on December 19.
A total of 170 BFF registered academy teams with four thousands and five hundred young footballers from all over the country will take part in the competition of Under-15 age group football meet with the full financial support of FIFA, which will cost more than Taka one crore.
Vice president and the Chairman of the development committee of BFF Ataur Rahman Bhuiyan (Manik) disclosed it at a press conference and tournament’s draw ceremony at the BFF House in Dhaka on Thursday. He is very happy to arrange the tournament.
He said, “FIFA will provide all the costs of the tournament for talent hunting and development program. Not only this year, the world football governing body will also provide the cost every year to organize the tournament,” Manik informed.
Initially, 170 academy teams splitting into 24 zones will compete in the first phase of the tournamnet from December 19. Later on 24 zonal champions will play again in the 12 venues and the winners will compete in the final round. The final round will be staged at central venue.
A total of 12 teams split into four groups will face each other. The four group champions will move into the last four. The final round of the meet will be held in Dhaka in February- March next year.
General Secretary of the BFF Imran Hossain Tushar, member Eliyas Hossain were also present on the occasion among others. The BFF will involve 24 coaches in 24 zonal venues to hunt talented footballers for the BFF Elite Academy.
The players, who was born between Jan 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010, are eligible to compete in the meet, will be organized with a slogan, “Give Every Talent A Chance”.
