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Bangladesh Football Federation Launches Revamped U-17 National Championship to Scout Future Stars

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, December 14th 2025 at 8:45 GMT by The Daily Star
      Locale: Dhaka, BANGLADESH

Bangladesh Football Federation Sets Its Sights on Youth: U‑17 National Championship to Unveil the Nation’s Next Generation of Stars

In a move that signals a new era for football in the country, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has announced a revamped U‑17 National Championship designed to spot, nurture and promote the most promising young talents across the nation. The decision comes amid growing pressure from fans, clubs and the international football community to create a stronger pipeline of skilled players for Bangladesh’s senior national team. The BFF’s latest initiative, unveiled in a press conference held at the BFF headquarters on May 3, 2024, is more than just a tournament – it’s a strategic framework for long‑term growth in Bangladeshi football.

The Vision Behind the Championship

According to BFF Secretary Mr. Md. Zafarul Islam, “Our mission has always been to develop football at every level. With the U‑17 Championship, we are taking concrete steps to bridge the gap between school‑level football and the national squad.” He went on to explain that the tournament will serve dual purposes: providing a competitive platform for young players and offering the federation a talent‑scouting mechanism that feeds directly into the national youth teams.

The BFF’s vision aligns closely with the “Bangladesh Football Development Plan 2024‑2030,” a policy document that highlights the importance of grassroots development. The plan, which was released in January, outlines a phased approach to strengthen coaching, facilities, and player welfare. By integrating the U‑17 Championship into this roadmap, the federation hopes to ensure a steady stream of technically adept and physically prepared players for international competitions such as the AFC U‑17 Asian Cup and the FIFA U‑17 World Cup qualifiers.

Who Is Involved?

The tournament will feature 18 teams from across the country, comprising:

• Clubs with robust youth academies: Mohammedan SC, Abahani Limited Dhaka, Sheikh Jamal BIRDEM, and Sheikh Russel KC.
• Regional selections: Chittagong City, Sylhet Sporting Club, and Rajshahi United.
• BFF Academy: A special entry that showcases the federation’s own youth training program.

Each club is required to submit a squad of 20 players aged between 15 and 17, plus a coaching staff that meets the federation’s minimum qualification standards. The BFF’s Technical Committee will oversee the selection of the coaching staff to ensure consistency in training methodologies.

Format and Schedule

The championship will kick off on June 12 and run for four weeks. It will adopt a hybrid group‑knockout format:

1. Group Stage – 18 teams divided into six groups of three. Each group will play a double round‑robin, producing 12 matches per group.
2. Quarter‑finals – The top two teams from each group plus the two best third‑placed teams advance to the knockout stage.
3. Semi‑finals & Final – The winners of the quarter‑finals face off in a two‑legged tie, followed by a single‑match final at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

The BFF’s Technical Director, Mr. Khaled R. Chowdhury, added that “the tournament’s competitive intensity mirrors that of international fixtures, thereby offering our young players a realistic experience.”

How the Federation Will Support Players

A key element of the BFF’s strategy is the provision of holistic support for the participants:

• Medical and fitness assessment: All players will undergo a pre‑tournament medical examination and baseline fitness testing. A team of physiotherapists and nutritionists will be available throughout the competition.
• Coaching development: The federation will run a one‑month coaching course for the U‑17 teams, focusing on tactical awareness, ball‑handling, and sports psychology.
• Player scholarships: The BFF will award annual scholarships to the top five performers in each category (goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, forward, and overall best player). These scholarships cover coaching fees, equipment, and academic assistance.
• Scouting camps: Post‑tournament, the federation will host a national scouting camp at the BFF Academy, where the best performers will receive invitations to train with the U‑19 national team.

Club Perspective: A New Opportunity

From the club’s point of view, the championship is a golden ticket to attract sponsorship, elevate club status, and build a reputation for talent development. An executive from Mohammedan SC, Mr. Aminul Karim, remarked, “Our youth academy has been in the making for years, and this tournament offers the perfect platform to showcase our progress. We’re already scouting a few players who could be future stars for the national team.”

He also noted that clubs will receive technical support from the federation, including access to the BFF Academy’s training facilities and a library of coaching resources. The BFF plans to conduct monthly workshops for club coaches to keep them updated on modern football tactics and sports science.

Additional Resources and Context

Readers looking for more background can explore the BFF’s own Youth Development Policy on the federation’s website, which outlines the training curriculum, coaching accreditation process, and a roadmap for national youth teams. The Bangladesh Football Development Plan 2024‑2030 is also available as a downloadable PDF, detailing long‑term goals such as building a professional league, improving stadium infrastructure, and enhancing grassroots participation.

The Daily Star’s previous coverage, such as the article “BFF Eyes Youth Development Ahead of AFC U‑17 Qualifiers” (link to be included), provides a broader context on how the U‑17 Championship fits into the international competitive calendar. In that piece, BFF officials emphasized the need for early exposure to international standards, noting that Bangladesh’s recent performances in youth tournaments have lagged behind regional rivals.

What This Means for Bangladesh’s Football Future

The BFF’s U‑17 National Championship is more than just a competition; it’s a testbed for the federation’s entire youth strategy. By fostering an environment where young players are judged on skill, attitude, and potential, the federation hopes to create a talent ecosystem that will benefit all levels of Bangladeshi football.

In the words of BFF Secretary Mr. Zafarul Islam, “We’re not just looking for a few stars; we’re building a system that will consistently produce high‑quality players. If we succeed, we’ll see a stronger national team, more professional clubs, and, ultimately, a proud footballing nation that can stand shoulder to shoulder with its Asian neighbors.”

As the tournament draws near, all eyes will be on the 18 teams, their coaches, and the next generation of Bangladeshi footballers. The BFF’s ambitious plan, combined with a supportive infrastructure, gives the nation a realistic chance to rewrite its footballing destiny—one talented U‑17 player at a time.