World-Class Infrastructure and International Recognition
Launched in 2019, ABG Sports City features the Bashundhara Kings Arena, a venue that became a key alternative for international football fixtures when the National Stadium was unavailable. The arena has hosted FIFA World Cup qualifiers, AFC Cup matches, and South Asian youth women's football tournaments.
In August, a technical delegation from the Brazilian Football Confederation visited Kings Arena to review facilities ahead of a scheduled FIFA friendly against India, praising the pitch, training grounds, gym, and recovery facilities as being on par with global standards.
Expanding Across Multiple Sports
While football remains a core focus—supported by an unresidential football academy launched on October 5, 2024, with plans for a residential dormitory—the complex is rapidly expanding its footprint across other disciplines:
Cricket: The Shah Alam Cricket Stadium (formerly Anvir Cricket Stadium) has hosted international matches involving Bangladesh and Malaysia, as well as Premier Cricket League games.
Squash & Combat Sports: The facility recently hosted an international squash tournament featuring players from 11 countries, as well as the 2nd edition of the Zulkan Fighting Championship (ZFC-2: Pride of Bangladesh), an international combat sports event with participants from seven nations.
Hockey & Aquatics: Installation of an astro-turf for hockey is near completion, while construction plans include an international-standard swimming pool.
Key Infrastructure & Naming Honors
As part of its long-term vision, key venues within the complex are being named to honor prominent sports personalities and historical figures:
Facility | Named Venue | Background / Significance |
|---|---|---|
Football Stadium | Bashundhara Kings Arena | Home ground for Bashundhara Kings; international FIFA and AFC venue. |
Cricket Stadium | Shah Alam Cricket Stadium | Dedicated venue for international and domestic cricket fixtures. |
Hockey Stadium | Abdus Sadek Stadium | Named in honor of legendary Bangladeshi hockey icon Abdus Sadek. |
Swimming Pool | Abdus Sobhan Swimming Pool | Named after Abdus Sobhan, a member of DU's inaugural batch and a Bengal swimmer. |
Vision for Youth and Corporate Patronage
Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, along with Managing Director Sayem Sobhan Anvir and family members Sadat Sobhan Tanvir, Safiyat Sobhan Sanvir, and Safwan Sobhan Tasvir, envision the complex as a hub for nurturing talent and elevating Bangladesh to global sporting stages, including the FIFA World Cup.
Legendary hockey personality Abdus Sadek commended Bashundhara Group's sports patronage, noting that private sector investments in stadiums, turf, and teams set a vital precedent for corporate Bangladesh.
Bashundhara Kings President and ABG Sports City Director Md. Imrul Hasan highlighted that beyond elite sports, the complex fosters employment, supports healthy lifestyles for youth away from drug abuse, and regularly hosts university-level football and cricket tournaments.
