Bangladesh Hockey Federation

Bangladesh Hockey Federation –BHF was founded in 1972. The federation acquired full membership of the International Hockey Federation and of the Asian Hockey Federation in 1975. In 1987, a hockey stadium was built in Dhaka, which is now known as the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium. Since then it is the home of hockey and the office of BHF in Bangladesh where all levels of hockey are being played and controlled. The Federation regularly arranges hockey leagues, tournaments and the National Youth and Senior Championships. At the home level, hockey matches including Premier Division Hockey League, First Division Hockey League, Second Division Hockey League, National Hockey League, National Youth Hockey League, Independence Day Hockey Tournament, National Hockey Championship, National Youth Hockey Championship, Victory Day Hockey Tournament, School Tournaments and hosted various international tournaments with distinction.

Bangladesh started taking part in international hockey tournaments by participating in the 1st Junior World Cup for Asia/Oceania zone qualifying round in Kuala Lumpur in 1977. It took part in 1st Asia Cup in Karachi in 1982 and till date. The country also played in the Asian games held in Bangkok in 1978. Since then Bangladesh Hockey Team is participating in Asian games. In 1985, Dhaka hosted the Second Asia Hockey Cup. India, Pakistan, Korea, Malaysia, China, Japan, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Iran and Bangladesh took part in this tournament. Bangladesh also hosted an international invitational hockey tournament in 1997. India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka were the participants.

Earlier History :

Hockey was introduced in Bengal during the British period. The game was introduced in Dhaka around 1905 under the patronage of Nawab Sir Khwaja Salimullah (1866-1915). But the game remained confined to the Nawabs’ family circle. At that time, football was more popular among the masses of this region. Despite this, the game made great progress due to untiring efforts of some sport patrons and organisers. During the World War II, a team of the hockey wizard Dhyanchand, a member of the Gurkha Regiment, played an exhibition match at Armanitola in Dhaka.

With the Partition of Bengal in 1947, the growth of hockey was impeded. Many of the people, who played and loved hockey, migrated to India. As a result, hockey turned into a seasonal game. Hockey was played only for two or three months in the year also due to inadequacy of playgrounds and unfavourable weather conditions in other months of the year.

During the Pakistan period, the East Pakistan hockey team took part in a number of tournaments including All Pakistan National Hockey Championship. In 1969, Dhaka successfully hosted the final round of the Pakistan National Hockey Championship. Pakistan was Olympic and Asian Champion in hockey in 1970.

Local Clubs & Participants :

Various organisations, services, and clubs of Bangladesh play hockey. Among the organisations are the Bangladesh Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, BKSP, and the University of Dhaka.

Noted clubs that are playing hockey are Abahani Krirachakra, Mohammedan Sporting Club, Usha Krirachakra, Sonali Bank SRC, Sadharan Bima Krirachakra, Ajax Krirachakra, Wonderers, Dilkusha, Wari Club and including some second division clubs ie. Shantinagar Club, Uttara Hockey, Barnok Shamaj, Farahganj, Sishu-Kishor, Eastern Green, Dhaka Hockey Club, Bachelors.