The New Year has come already and we are looking forward to new things, opportunities, goals and achievements in the year. A NEW YEAR is an opportunity to make the things right that were not possible to make so in the OLD YEAR. "Every time you tear a leaf off a calendar, you present a new place for new ideas and progress," said American inventor, engineer and businessman Charles Kettering.
But before looking at the new opportunities in the newly arrived year, the stories of the last year will be important to know. Let's take a look at the important accounts of the year 2017.
Asia Cup after 32 year
Asia Cup was among the top issues discussed throughout the year. After about 32 years, Bangladesh hosted the prestigious hockey event of Hockey, also known as the hockey world cup of the region, in Dhaka.
Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) passed a very busy time for a successful arrangement of the event at home. As scheduled, the tenth edition of Men's Asia Cup Hockey held from October 14 to 22 at the prime hockey venue of the country Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium, Gulistan in the capital city and was played by China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan and host Bangladesh.
Centring the event, renovation works of Taka 180,000,000 were done at the venue which includes installation of floodlight and modern electronic scoreboard, dressing rooms and Press box. Installation of floodlight alone costs Taka 100,000,000.
Jimmy-Chayan Battalion Sixth in Asia Cup
In the event, the host Jimmy-Chayan battalion become sixth losing an exciting place decider to Japan by 4-0 margin on a rainy October 20. Winning it, 17th ranked Japan placed fifth in the event.
However, after a waiting of ten years, India had clinched the title of the event beating the first time finalist Malaysia by 2-1 margin on October 22.
Bangladesh Fifth in FIH Hockey World League Round 2
Before Asia Cup, Bangladesh played another international event, FIH Hockey World League Round 2 with which the hockey boys began their busy year. In the event, Bangladesh placed fifth beating Ghana in a challenging finisher.
Before the FIH event, the boys had practice in the camp for a long time.
Squad for the Asia Cup
After the end of the FIH event, the fans had kept an eye on the hockey Federation regarding the team selection for the Asia Cup.
German hockey coach Oliver Kurtz was in charge of selecting the preliminary squad where team's prominent striker Russel Mahmud Jimmy was not included due to his breaching codes and conducts of the Federation and criticising the failures of the officials.
However, Jimmy was later called in the team and suspension on him was lifted considering his worth for the team in the Asia Cup.
Hockey got flood light at last
Hockey in Bangladesh got the much awaited floodlight after all these years. Asian Hockey Federation was not willing to arrange the event without floodlight and therefore Bangladesh Hockey Federation had to set up the floodlight with the supports from National Sports Council (NSC) and Government.
Women's team formed
Bangladesh formed a women's team this year which was expected to be done many years back. But, proper training programme and other facilities are still needed.
Oliver Kurtz sacked
German hockey head coach Oliver Kurtz was sacked due to his unnoticed leave from the country. The German coach was also criticised for not selecting skilled players like Mimo and Niloy in the team before.
Mahbub Harun appointed head coach
After Oliver, Mahbub Harun was appointed as the head coach of the team who coached the team in the Asia Cup.
Khwaja Rahmatullah passed away
Former star hockey player and Vice-President of Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) Khwaja Rahmatullah breathed his last on October 24 evening in the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) in Dhaka.
The 56-year hockey man was admitted to the hospital after a cardiac arrest. Only a few days back, Khwaja Rahmatullah received crest from Asian Hockey Federation CEO Tayyab Ikram for his hard work and contribution to successfully host the Men's Asia Cup Hockey in Dhaka after 32 years.
Idle time at the end
of the year
The hockey players had passed an idle time at the end of the year since no activity or events were in there. After the end of the Asia Cup, the officials of Bangladesh Hockey Federation became less interested about the game. The General Election of the Federation was to be held in July that was never held. The player transfer for the Premier League was also postponed. The players had no other things but passing the time idly.
