Dhaka:The Arafat Rahman Koko Memorial Trust has announced plans for a nationwide T20 cricket tournament and the establishment of 10 regional academies to boost grassroots cricket in Bangladesh. This initiative aims to rejuvenate the country's player-development pipeline by following the model set by Arafat Rahman Koko during his tenure at the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the tournament and academies will create a structured pathway for young cricketers, advancing from grassroots competitions to higher levels of domestic cricket and ultimately the national team. This model was previously implemented by Arafat Rahman, who served as Chairman of the BCB's Games Development Committee from 2002 to 2005. His efforts significantly enhanced Bangladesh's age-group cricket and player-development structure, producing notable players like Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mahmudullah Riyad.
These efforts strengthened Bangladesh's cricketing talent pipeline, leading to significant achievements such as reaching the 2015 World Cup quarterfinals and the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy semifinals. However, in recent years, district-level cricket has struggled, centralizing the game in Dhaka and raising concerns about the national talent pool's depth.
BCB Director Sharforaj Ahmed, coordinating the Arafat Rahman Koko Memorial Trust, believes that Koko's model could address these issues by expanding the player pool for national selection. The trust plans to organize the T20 tournament in 10 regional phases, covering the country's eight administrative divisions, with additional regions Faridpur and Cumilla. The regional champions will compete in the final phase in Dhaka.
The tournament will have no player-category restrictions, allowing participation from all levels, including national team players, subject to availability. The trust will also establish 10 cricket academies to provide structured coaching and world-class facilities for budding cricketers, aiming to develop a broader talent pool for the BCB.