The six zonal champions will join holders Brothers Union, runners-up Muktijoddha Sangsad and popular outfits Abahani and Mohammedan.

So far, 44 district league champions and five service teams have entered for the qualifiers, told tournament committee secretary Manzoor Hossain Malu at a press conference yesterday.

Tournament committee chairman Matlub Ahmed, Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) vice-president and general secretary Abdur Rahim and Anwarul Hoque Helal were also present.

Nitol-Tata, which is sponsoring the event for the last time as part of a three-year contract, hopes to extend its association in future.

Malu, also the deputy general secretary of the BFF, said that ten venues have applied to host the preliminary rounds and nine venues have applied for the final rounds.

The first phase of the finals will begin at four venues in the first week of October and the second and final phase will be held at the Bangaban-dhu National Stadium in Dhaka.

The BFF has earmarked a Taka 1.07 crore budget and Nitol-Tata will provide Taka 60 lakh. The BFF is looking forward to find co-sponsors to meet the demands.