The upcoming 2024/25 Bangladesh Premier League season hits a snag as two of it’s most illustrious clubs – Sheikh Jamal DC and Sheikh Russel KC – withdrew from the league in mid-August, amidst a political turmoil within the nation that saw Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigning from her position.
Bangladesh has been rocked with political unrest since July, when student protests regarding structural reforms within government job recruitment was met with violence by the police, prompting the protests to escalate into a movement against what many perceive as an authoritarian government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. With hundreds of casualties from among the protesters, Sheikh Hasina resigned from her position in early August, fleeing the country with her sister Sheikh Rehana.
The effects of the protests affected the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League season, particularly regarding the participation of both Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russel. Previously known as Dhammondi Club, Sheikh Jamal had won three top-flight titles, while Sheikh Russel had won the treble in the 2012/13 season.
Both clubs were closely associated with Sheikh Hasina’s family, being named after her late brothers.
With only three days until the closure of the Bangladesh Premier League transfer window, local conglomerate Bashundhara Group – who were also the bankrollers of another Bangladeshi powerhouse, Bashundhara Kings – decided to withdrew their support of both Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russel, leaving both clubs in financial limbo.
“The officials who usually handle the forming of the squad for Sheikh Russel, told us about a week ago that they won’t form a squad,” said an anonymous Sheikh Russel coaching staff, as quoted from The Daily Star.
Also speaking to The Daily Star was Rahmat Mia, a Bangladesh national team defender who had just moved to Sheikh Russel from Dhaka Abahani, Bangladesh’s most successful side.
“The day after the resignation of Sheikh Hasina, some 20-25 players were kicked out of a Whatsapp group which was the main medium of communication among players, officials and coaches,” said Mia, “Since then, we have no idea whether Sheikh Russel are going to play or not. No one from the club has officially communicated with us though some 20 to 25 players have signed contracts and have received token money ranging between Tk 5-10 lakh from the club.”
Alamgir Mollah, another former Abahani player who made the switch to Sheikh Russel, had this to add, “I’m really confused. They once said they will not play, but then they said they will play but haven’t taken any visible steps. They are not acting professionally.”
It was reported that Sheikh Jamal officials attempted to revert their name back to Dhammondi Club to distance themselves from the ousted Sheikh Hasina’s family, but found themselves unable to do so as the club had already been registered under Sheikh Jamal DC.
Another Bangladesh Premier League club is also finding themselves in hot water due to their association with the Awami League, the party that supported Sheikh Hasina’s government, that being Chittagong Abahani. Club manager Arman Aziz has been unable to reach out to his higher-ups following Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and the ousting of the Awami League from the government, putting Chittagong’s participation in the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League season under jeopardy.
With their clubs set to sit out from this season’s Bangladesh Premier League – and facing the prospect of being demoted into the second tier as punishment – the players of both Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russel have reached out to Brothers Union manager Amer Khan as a potential safe haven.