{"id":5330,"date":"2025-09-17T17:02:54","date_gmt":"2025-09-17T17:02:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thedhakajournal.com\/?p=5330"},"modified":"2025-09-17T17:02:58","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T17:02:58","slug":"topu-alfaz-call-for-smoke-free-challenge-cup-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thedhakajournal.com\/?p=5330","title":{"rendered":"Topu, Alfaz call for smoke-free Challenge Cup final"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Bashundhara Kings captain Topu Barman has urged supporters to avoid a repeat of last season’s smoke flare incident during the one-off Challenge Cup final against Mohammedan SC in Cumilla on Friday.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The issue occurred in last year’s inaugural Challenge Cup final at the Bashundhara Kings Arena, when flares thrown onto the pitch forced a 10-minute halt to proceedings. Despite the disruption, Kings rallied from a goal down to beat Mohammedan 3-1, with Topu heading in the equaliser in the 73rd minute after Souleymane Diabate had given Mohammedan an early seventh-minute lead. Faisal Ahmed Fahim and Miguel Ferreira then struck to secure the season’s first silverware for the Kings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking at the pre-final press conference at the BFF House on Wednesday, Topu stressed the importance of avoiding such incidents this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“You know the smoke flare is a part of the game which happens regularly in Europe. But in Bangladesh, punishments have already been given for that incident. As a player, I hope such things won’t happen again, and we [Kings] also won’t repeat it,” Topu said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Rather, we want to play a peaceful game which is better for both teams.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mohammedan coach Alfaz Ahmed echoed the Kings skipper’s sentiments, calling for a trouble-free final at Mohammedan’s home venue in Cumilla.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Actually, no clubs except Bashundhara Kings have their own home venue — others just play at token home grounds. We hope such an incident won’t happen again because we have already moved on from the past,” Alfaz said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The responsibility to prevent such events lies with those in charge of security.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Bashundhara Kings captain Topu Barman has urged supporters to avoid a repeat of last season’s smoke flare incident during the one-off Challenge Cup final against Mohammedan SC in Cumilla on Friday. 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