London Bangla A Force for the community…
Emdad Rahman
The first ever Open Age Greater Sylhet Upazila Cup concluded in spectacular fashion, with Jagannathpur scripting history by lifting the trophy and going the entire tournament without conceding a single goal from open play.
The two day footballing spectacle, hosted at the Bobby Moore Pavilion and and concluding at the iconic Mile End Stadium, was a contest of skill and a celebration of heritage, unity, and grassroots brilliance.
In the final, Jagannathpur delivered a professional performance to overcome a valiant Gulapganj side 2-0. With Nayeem Uddin conducting from midfield, Zain Haque opened the scoring with a clinical finish in the first half of extra time before Abdul-Kaium Ali sealed the victory late on. With disciplined defending, fluid attacking play, and a tactical masterclass from Head Coach Kamal Khan, Jagannathpur not only won the trophy but left an indelible mark on community football.
“I’m incredibly proud of these boys,” said Khan. “This was about representing our people with pride, passion, and purpose. We’ve shown what can be achieved through hard work and unity.”
The tournament, brilliantly organised by Sonali Othith, saw thousands of football lovers descend on th sports venues across two days, and treated to heart stopping drama, exquisite goals, and spirited rivalries steeped in tradition.
Jagannathpur’s road to glory included a dramatic penalty shootout win over a highly fancied Sylhet Sadar side in the semi-finals. On the other side of the draw, Gulapganj reached the final thanks to a jaw dropping solo goal by Arman Zaman, who weaved through defenders before coolly slotting home against Moulvibazar – It was one of the moments of the tournament.
“This tournament showed how powerful sport can be in bringing people together,” said Joynal Abdin Miah, Secretary of Sonali Othith. “We saw family, friends, elders, and youth cheering together in one space. Football was the language and everyone spoke it.”
The Greater Sylhet Upazila Cup was a tournament and a cultural showcase all in one, highlighting the rich footballing DNA of the British Bangladeshi community, blending flair and fight with unity and purpose.
The tournament, which kicked off on July 20th, saw 14 teams from various Upazilas of Sylhet participate in a thrilling competition that culminated in a packed Mile End stadium.
The participating teams were:
1. Balagonj
2. Barlekha
3. Beanibazar
4. Bishwanath
5. Chhatak
6. Derai
7. Dakshin Sunamgonj
8. Dakshin Surma
9. Golapganj
10. Jagganathpur
11. Moulvibazar Sadar
12. Nabigonj
13. Osmani Nagor
14. Sylhet Sadar
Organisers, referees, volunteers, and players all played their part in what many described as a “festival of football.”
The upshot? Community tournaments like this are the lifeblood of grassroots football. At a time when the game is increasingly commercialised, events like the Upazila Cup restore faith in its power to uplift, to inspire, and to heal. For second and third generation British Bangladeshis, these tournaments are powerful reminders of their roots, creating a bridge between the past and the future.
Congratulations to Sonali Othith for hosting a landmark event that has set a new benchmark. The next stop is the highly anticipated Veterans Upazila Cup, which returns to Mabley Green on August 24th. If the Open Age event is anything to go by, we’re in for another unforgettable chapter.
Let’s celebrate the organisers, the players, and most of all, the supporters, because without community, football is just a game. With it, it becomes a legacy.
Emdad Rahman is a community, community sports writer and grassroots football advocate.
