Emdad Rahman
In a celebration of heritage, skill, and community spirit, the Chhattak 4th Union Cup reached its thrilling conclusion, with Dular Bazar edging past Saila Afzalabad 1–0 in a tense final at the Bobby Moore Sports Hub, Dagenham. .
Chhattak is a vibrant sub district in the Sylhet Division of Bangladesh, famed for its tea gardens, stone trade, cultural heritage, and the deep- rooted footballing passion of its people. The UK Union Cup brings together local teams from Chhattak’s unions, turning friendly rivalries into memorable spectacles.
This year’s competition featured eight proud unions: Charmohalla, Jawa Bazar, Kurma, Chhattak Pouroshoba, Dular Bazar, Bhatgaon, Shingchapur, and Saila Afzalabad.
In the semi finals, Saila Afzalabad overcame Bhatgaon, while Dular Bazar triumphed over Shingchapur, setting up a mouth watering final.
Few would have predicted Saila Afzalabad to reach the final, but their journey was the story of the tournament. Entering as underdogs, they produced a series of supreme performances on the day, blending tireless pressing, disciplined defending, and bursts of attacking flair to stun more fancied opponents. Their semi final win over the highly rated Bhatgaon side was a masterclass in determination, with the whole team rallying behind an unshakable belief that they could go all the way.
The final was settled by 18-year-old Mohammed Abu Bayazid, whose composed finish broke the deadlock and sealed the championship for Dular Bazar.
Jilu Miah from Saila Afzalabad was full of pride despite the narrow loss:“We came here to compete, but we left with our heads held high. Nobody thought we’d be in the final, yet we fought for every ball and made our community proud. This is just the beginning for us.”
In the other dugout, Dular Bazar coach Raju Ahmed reflected on his side’s triumph: “Finals aren’t for the faint-hearted. We had to dig deep, stay patient, and take our chance when it came. The boys showed heart, discipline, and that extra bit of magic when it mattered most.”
The tournament also showcased veteran excellence, with outstanding contributions from Imran Ahmed, Hanif, Shah Ahmed, Ashadul Hoque, Shah Mohammed Jewel, Khaled Hussain, the legendary Goyas Miah, Helal Uddin, Shuhel Ullah, and Mahbub Alam proving that class is timeless.
Emerging talents also lit up the competition. Tamjid Latif, just 17, was named Man of the Tournament for his dynamic displays, while young stars Maheer Mehtab, Yassar Mehtab, Mohammed Abu Bayazid, Mohammed Ali, Talha Ahsanuddin, and Ubayid Ullah left an indelible mark on the pitch.
The winning trophy was presented by Tower Hamlets Deputy Mayor Maium Talukdar, who praised the unity fostered by the event “Tournaments like this remind us that football is a bridge that connects communities, inspires youth, and honours tradition.”
From seasoned campaigners to fearless youngsters, the Chhattak 4th Union Cup proved once again why football remains the heartbeat of Sylhet’s sporting identity.