BPL clubs get started training amid second-wave fears
The majority of Bangladesh Premier League clubs have started pre-season preparations ahead of the start of upcoming season from December 19 amid apprehension in regards to a second wave of coronavirus.
After a seven-month coronavirus-induced break that observed with the cancellation of the 2019-20 season, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has taken initiatives to get started on the 2020-21 season in December. The transfer windows opened on November 1 and can close on December 15, just four days before the start of the season's curtain-raising tournament, the Federation Cup.
Defending champions Bashundhara Kings, Abahani, Saif SC, Sheikh Jamal, Sheikh Russel, Mohammedan, Bangladesh Police, Arambagh and Muktijoddha Sangsad have began pre-season preparations while Chattogram Abahani, Brothers Union, Rahmatganj and Uttar Baridhara Golf club will start in the coming times.
Just about all clubs started preparations after conducting Covid-19 checks. Only Arambagh started training without conducting tests, but their players were kept in isolation for a week before the start of training.
"Players had been asked to report on November 7 with coronavirus certificates. These were in quarantine for three times at the club before all the players and training staff underwent another check under the supervision of the club," said Abahani manager Satyjit Das Rupu. "Everyone is concerned about the pandemic and we are observing the situation. We are also concerned about a second wave because the overseas players have but to attain here."
Sheikh Russel sports director Sales Jamal Selim said: "We were a bit late in starting training, which got underway about Thursday at the Fortis ground after all of the players and personnel underwent tests. Nowadays the boys will have two sessions everyday for a week to regain their health. But we happen to be somewhat worried about the existing coronavirus situation, which has been worsening daily."
"We can't understand the problem and we are possibly in doubt whether the season will start on time due to increasing circumstances of coronavirus," stated Chattogram Abahani supervisor Arman Aziz. "The players are reporting from today [Friday] and we'll have a three-week pre-time camp in Mymensingh from November 25 and all players and officials will undergo testing."
Rahmatganj basic secretary Imtiaz Hamid Sabuj said: "We are actually worried about the increasing amount of Covid-19 conditions because we don't know whether to pay the salaries of the overseas players again without using." The players have started to article at the camp and all of those other players will come in a few days with their test results. The club will carry out further testing prior to starting the camp within a short period of time, added Sabuj.
"3 foreign players from Congo and Ivory Expense were supposed to arrive on November 24 however they are nowadays scheduled to reach on November 27 following cancelation of international flights. I am really tense about their arrival because international flights are being shut again," explained Uttar Baridhara Club standard secretary Jahangir Alam, adding that they might start training on December 1 after undertaking the assessment for all players and staff.
Arambagh started their trained in Nilphamari in Nov 17 soon after keeping all of the players found in isolation for a week.
"The quantity of Covid-19 conditions has got been increasing and we can't deny reality, which seems to heading in same direction as previous season. But we happen to be positive that we can continue training before Federation Glass. We are as well thinking of appointing a health care provider at the camp," said Arambagh vice president Eazaz Mohammad Jahangir.
