BNP Government Taking Over the Historic Abahani Field

Abahani Limited, one of the country’s most popular sports organizations, is about to lose its home ground due to political vendetta. The BNP government is taking control of the 54-year-old historic Abahani ground in Dhanmondi by canceling the 99-year lease. The responsibility for the overall management and maintenance of the ground is being officially transferred through the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

In 1972, Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, founded the Abahani Krira Chakra. Since its establishment, the club has been using this Dhanmondi ground as the center of its practice and official activities. Later, in 1998, the Ministry of Housing and Public Works leased 9.76 acres of land out of the 10.96 acres of ground to Abahani for 99 years and in 2010, another 0.89 acres of land was added.

However, with the change in the political landscape of the country, the club was dealt a severe blow. On August 5, 2024, a horrific mob attack, vandalism and looting were carried out on the club premises. The club’s historic trophy and all important facilities were damaged in that attack. However, despite such adverse circumstances and political vendetta, the club did not compromise on its sporting prowess. Overcoming all obstacles, this traditional club founded by Sheikh Kamal became the champion in the 2025 Dhaka Premier Cricket League (DPL) by fighting against the undefeated forces.

Despite all this, there was no relief. On August 3, 2026, the ministry rejected the application for renewal of the lease of Abahani’s then football manager Satyajit Das Rupu, citing politically motivated reasons of outstanding fees and breach of contract. Earlier, after laying the foundation stone in 2011, the construction of the ‘Sheikh Kamal Sports Complex’ on the northern part of the Abahani ground began in 2022, but it currently remains incomplete due to political unrest.

According to sports enthusiasts, the government’s decision to cancel the lease was taken solely for political reasons to erase the memories of Sheikh Kamal and Abahani, which will be a very dark chapter for the country’s sports arena.