TDS Desk

Navy off to a winning start in the Paragon Victory Day Hockey Competition 2024, sponsored by Paragon Group, as they crushed Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan (BKSP) by 8-2 goals in the opening match at the Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium here on Monday.

The new ad hoc committee of the Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) has brought back domestic hockey on the field with this competition after a seven-month break as the last domestic competition was Green Delta Insurance Premier Division Hockey League 2023-24 which was held in April.

Navy’s Ashraful Islam scored five goals in the 1st, 10th, 26th, 27th, and 41st minutes while skipper Rasel Mahmud Jimmy, Fazle Hossain Rabby, and Mahbub Hossain added one each in the 7th, 35th, and 49th minutes respectively.

BKSP’s Tanvir Rahman Siam and Hujaifa Hussain reduced the gap scoring one each in the 17th and 24th minutes.

Earlier this day, Ministry of Youth and Sports Secretary Md Rezaul Maksud Jahedi inaugurated the tourney as the chief guest.

A total of six teams – split into two groups – are taking part in the competition.

Group A comprises Navy, Police, and BKSP while Group B comprises Air Force, Army, and Hockey Players Welfare Unity.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals on December 28 while the final will be held on December 30, all at the same venue.