BFF Academy team to play tournament in China

As Bangladesh are engaged in the SAFF U-17 Championship in Sri Lanka, another group of U-17 footballers are all set to compete in an invitational tournament in China, scheduled for September 20-28 in Lijiang.

A 22-member contingent under the banner of the BFF Academy Football team is scheduled to fly out here for Lijiang via Guangzhou tonight to take part in the 2nd Tianyu Liufang Cup 2025.

Although Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) is yet to know who is participating in the 16-team tournament, the first edition of the event in 2024 saw five teams from Cambodia, Thailand and Nepal, along with 11 Chinese provincial teams.

With the theme of "Tianyu Liufang", a Naxi phrase meaning "Go for some reading", the week-long event will encourage international youth to strike a balance between sports and books. Bangladesh, however, is looking forward to the valuable international exposure for its players.

"Some 45 players had been in training under Golam Rabbani Choton at Shams Ul Huda Academy in Jashore, Head coach Imadul Khan said at a press conference at BFF House today.

"Twenty-three are now in Sri Lanka for the SAFF U-17 Championship, while 18 will play in China. Playing this tournament will give us a good idea of where our players stand.

"I think running two U-17 tournaments simultaneously will help Bangladesh build a stronger squad ahead of November's AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers," added Imadul, who also coaches Shams Ul Huda Academy and holds AFC A license.

BFF development committee member Manjurul Karim said the squad has been carefully formed, with players drawn from different football academies including BKSP and Shams Ul Huda Academy.