B.Mirror Desk: A long-standing challenge in the national sports landscape has been the lack of modern infrastructure. Efforts to create a comprehensive sporting environment—featuring international-standard playing fields, advanced training facilities, and dedicated gyms and rehabilitation centers for athletes—have historically been limited. In this context, the establishment of ABG Sports City in the capital’s Bashundhara residential area has opened doors to new possibilities for sports in the country. By providing modern facilities for a wide range of disciplines—from football and cricket to squash and hockey—this sports complex is not merely bringing about infrastructural change; it is transforming the very environment and culture of sports participation.

Spanning approximately 300 bighas, ABG Sports City stands as a significant example of private-sector initiative within Bangladesh’s sports sector. It reflects the long-term vision, investment, and commitment to sports championed by the Bashundhara Group. Such integrated sports infrastructure, developed by a private corporate entity, is a rarity in South Asia. Consequently, ABG Sports City has not only carved out a distinct identity for itself within the national sports landscape but has also created an opportunity to showcase Bangladesh’s capabilities on the international stage.
The Bashundhara Group, which has been engaged in various social responsibility initiatives alongside its business expansion since the 1980s, began the development of this sports city in 2019. Its primary objective extends beyond the mere construction of playing fields; it aims to encourage the younger generation to engage in sports, provide opportunities for the development of talented athletes, and elevate the country’s sports sector to international standards. To realize this vision, the necessary infrastructure for various sports—including football and cricket—has been developed in phases.
ABG Sports City serves as a tangible example of how private-sector involvement can drive significant progress in the promotion of sports nationwide. The regular sporting events hosted at its fields and training centers are fostering a renewed interest among the youth. Furthermore, it is expanding opportunities for individuals to embrace sports—whether as a form of recreation, a path to a healthy lifestyle, or a professional career. Such initiatives can play a vital role in steering the youth away from drug addiction and negative activities, while engaging them in pursuits that foster their physical and mental development.
A key attraction within the ABG Sports City is the Bashundhara Kings Arena. Designed for international-standard football, this venue has already carved out a significant place for itself in the Bangladeshi sports landscape. When the national stadium became unsuitable for hosting international football matches, the Kings Arena emerged as a viable alternative for the country. It has hosted events such as FIFA World Cup qualifier home matches, AFC Cup fixtures, and South Asian age-group women’s football tournaments. Consequently, it has played a crucial role in reducing reliance on foreign venues for hosting international matches.
Another testament to the international standing of the Kings Arena is the visit by a technical delegation associated with the Brazilian national football team. Last August, in the lead-up to a FIFA friendly match between Brazil and India, a technical team arrived in Bangladesh to evaluate the pitch and the venue’s facilities. They inspected both the national stadium in Dhaka and the Bashundhara Kings Arena. The delegation praised the Kings Arena’s pitch, training grounds, player gym, and recovery facilities, noting that they meet international standards. Such recognition is not merely a success for a single sports facility; it also sends a positive message regarding the overall state of sports infrastructure in Bangladesh.
Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, Chairman of the Bashundhara Group, envisions long-term, transformative change within the sports sector. The sports city, developed under his initiative, places a strong emphasis on the younger generation. His four sons—Sadat Sobhan Tanvir, Safiat Sobhan Sanvir, Sayem Sobhan Anvir, and Safwan Sobhan Tasvir—are actively contributing to this endeavor through their keen interest in sports and their ongoing patronage. Their goal extends beyond simply building their own sports complex; they aim to broaden and invigorate the practice of sports across the entire nation. ABG Chairman Sayem Sobhan Anvir believes there is significant potential to create new opportunities within Bangladeshi football. In a statement published in *Kaler Kantho* on October 18, 2021, he noted that although football is one of the most popular and compelling sports globally, it has not received the attention it deserves in Bangladesh. He envisions that the academy at the Bashundhara Sports Complex will produce high-caliber footballers in the future, and that if other business entities also step forward to support the sports sector, the development of sports in the country will accelerate. He also harbors the dream of seeing Bangladesh compete on the stage of the FIFA World Cup.
Legendary hockey player and sports personality Abdus Sadek has spoken positively about the initiatives taken by the Bashundhara Group in the national sports arena. In a statement published in Kaler Kantho on January 12, 2026, he remarked that by constructing fields, stadiums, and various sports infrastructure, the Bashundhara Group has taken a major step forward for the country’s sports sector. He also highlighted the success of Bashundhara Kings and the group’s contributions to cricket.
He also highlighted the group’s interest in initiatives such as installing turf for hockey and promoting padel tennis in Bangladesh. In his view, if other business entities also come forward to form and sponsor teams, the nation’s sports sector will flourish further.
Md. Imrul Hassan—Director of ABG Sports City, Senior Vice-President of the Bangladesh Football Federation, President of Bashundhara Kings, and Deputy Managing Director of Bashundhara Group—noted that the passion for sports held by Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan and his family is well-known. Their goal is to project a positive image of Bangladesh on the international stage and enhance the country’s global profile through sports. He added that the Chairman’s support for the development of the sports arena has always been constructive. They are optimistic that the benefits of the initiatives undertaken at ABG Sports City will become increasingly evident within the country’s sports landscape over the coming years.
According to Imrul Hassan, the development of modern sports infrastructure is expanding opportunities for training and competition across various disciplines, while simultaneously creating new avenues for employment. The sports city also encourages a healthy lifestyle by engaging the youth in sports.
On February 17, 2022, Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, Chairman of Bashundhara Group, officially inaugurated the Bashundhara Kings Arena. The following year, on September 3, the venue hosted its first international match—a game against Afghanistan. Since then, the venue’s scope has expanded through the hosting of both international and domestic football events.
With the aim of nurturing the next generation of footballers, a non-residential football academy was launched at ABG Sports City on October 5, 2024. Plans are in place to transition this into a residential academy once the construction of a dormitory is completed. This will provide talented youth with regular, structured training to develop into skilled players. Those involved in the project anticipate that, in the long term, this academy will produce players capable of competing at the national level.
Alongside football, progress is also being made in cricket. The Bangladesh national team has played an international match against Malaysia at the Anvir Cricket Stadium. Furthermore, plans are in place to host preparatory matches ahead of visits by international teams. In addition to international fixtures, matches from the Premier Cricket League have also been held at this venue, with the ABG Cricket Network team participating in the league. These initiatives are expanding the scope for cricket training, competition, and the development of players.
Beyond football and cricket, the range of sports hosted at ABG Sports City is growing. Recently, an international squash tournament was held here, featuring athletes from 11 countries, including Bangladesh. The venue also hosted the second edition of the ‘Zulkan Fighting Championship’ (ZFC-2: Pride of Bangladesh)—an international combat sports event involving participants from seven nations.
To promote sports at the university level, initiatives have been launched this month to organize football and cricket tournaments, each featuring 10 private universities. There are plans to further expand the scope of these competitions in the future. This will not only encourage university students to engage in regular sports activities but also create new opportunities for the development of their talents.
The installation of an astro-turf for hockey is nearing completion. Once operational, it will provide an enhanced environment for both training and competition, potentially paving the way for hosting international hockey matches and tournaments. By developing the necessary infrastructure for various sports, ABG Sports City is evolving into a multi-disciplinary sports hub.
As part of its future development, it has been decided to name several key facilities at ABG Sports City: the cricket stadium will be known as ‘Shah Alam Cricket Stadium,’ the hockey stadium as ‘Abdus Sadek Stadium,’ and the international-standard swimming pool as ‘Abdus Sobhan Swimming Pool.’
Naming these sports facilities after Shah Alam and Abdus Sadek serves as a tribute to their significant contributions to the nation’s sporting landscape. Abdus Sobhan—father of Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan—was a member of the first batch of students at the University of Dhaka. An accomplished swimmer, he even competed as part of the Bengal team of that era. Naming a swimming pool after him serves as a tribute to his sporting legacy.
Furthermore, ABG Sports City is planning to host a unique sports and entertainment festival featuring several of the country’s traditional clubs. Such an initiative would encourage greater participation among sports enthusiasts and foster new avenues for interaction and healthy competition between these clubs.
The development of sports in Bangladesh relies on more than just talented athletes; it requires consistent training, modern infrastructure, efficient management, competitive opportunities, and long-term sponsorship. The ABG Sports City initiative creates the potential to advance all these areas simultaneously.
By constructing facilities for various sports, hosting international competitions, developing athletes through academies, and encouraging youth engagement in sports, this sports city represents a significant addition to the nation’s sporting landscape. As its operations expand, it will create more opportunities for the emergence of new talent, the generation of sports-related employment, and the enhancement of Bangladesh’s profile on the international stage.
This initiative by the Bashundhara Group may also inspire other business entities in the country to invest in sports infrastructure and sponsorship. In this context, the significance of ABG Sports City becomes clear.
It will transcend the confines of a mere sports complex to become part of a broader sporting movement. ABG Sports City has already carved out a significant place for itself in the journey toward making sports in Bangladesh more organized, modern, and internationally competitive.