Joy and celebration are in the air for the Dhaka Wanderers' players, who are caught up in the excitement of taking selfies. The club's officials are also sharing in the jubilation, offering each other warm congratulations. On Wednesday's evening at Kamalapur Stadium, an unprecedented scene unfolded. It's difficult to pinpoint the last time such happiness was seen on the field by the traditional Dhaka Wanderers Club, which also happens to be a club where once the father of the nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, used to play. The elation among the players and officials marks their comeback to the nation's premier football league after a hiatus of almost 20 years.
The Wanderers' football team once not only boasted Bangabandhu as a player, but one of his sons, Sheikh Kamal, also played for the Wanderers' basketball team.
On Wednesday’s final match of the Bangladesh Championship League (BCL), the second division of the professional league, the Wanderers faced off against BFF Elite Academy. A draw would have sufficed for the team to secure 24 points from 14 matches and become the runner-up, ensuring their promotion to the Premier League. Even a defeat by two goals would have granted them the chance to compete in the professional league for the first time. With this goal in mind, they played that match, which ultimately concluded in a goalless draw, fulfilling the Wanderers' long-held aspiration.
Founded in 1937, the Wanderers were once a dominant force in Dhaka's football scene during the '50s and '60s. Matches between the Wanderers and Mohammedan were particularly enthralling during that era. The Wanderers were crowned champions of the Dhaka League in 1953 and '54 and were leading the 1955 league before it was called off due to flooding. They reclaimed the championship the following year. Had the league not been abandoned because of the floods, the Wanderers might have achieved four consecutive league victories.
Post-independence, the club struggled to maintain its legacy and gradually receded from prominence. Weak organizational structure allowed opportunistic individuals to exploit the club's name for their own gain. The Wanderers were among the six clubs implicated in the casino scandal of 2019, which led to both clubs being shuttered for an extended period. Overcoming this blemish, the club has now returned to the top tier of football and have been awarded the Championship League champion and runner-up trophies.
Coach Abu Yusuf has played a pivotal role in the Wanderers' resurgence in top-flight football. The former national team defender is deeply moved by the achievement. He shared the challenges faced in reaching this point, emphasizing the battles not only against opposing teams on the field but also against hidden adversaries. He expressed his refusal to compromise on anything that undermines the integrity of football, attributing his steadfastness to the team's success.
Coach Abu Yusuf also felt privileged to have guided such a storied club back to the top league. He believes the club should leverage Bangabandhu's legacy to its advantage.
Standing at Kamalapur Stadium, the Wanderers' general secretary, Kamal Hossain, conveyed his intent to build a strong team for the next professional league season. He reminisced about the team's last promotion to the Premier in 2003 and subsequent relegation in 2006. Now, with a successful return, he credits the club president, Kazi Shahidullah Liton, for his vision to elevate the team to the professional league, a goal that has now been realized.
Meanwhile, Fakirerpool Young Men's Club clinched the Championship League title with 27 points from 14 matches, earning their spot in the professional league. The club had previously won the Championship League in 2016 and was promoted to the professional league but did not participate due to financial constraints. However, this time, the club officials have confirmed their participation. The upcoming professional league season will see the rise of two new clubs—Fakirerpool Young Men's and Dhaka Wanderers.