Bashundhara Kings Ultras

Bashundhara Kings Ultras (BKU) (Bengali: বসুন্ধরা কিংস আল্ট্রাস) is the first registered fan club in Bangladesh,[1] which was established on 29 April 2021, and supports the Bangladeshi club, Bashundhara Kings.[2] It is one of the largest fan clubs in the country.[3]

Bashundhara Kings Ultras
NicknameRed Army
AbbreviationBKU
Established29 April 2021; 3 years ago (2021-04-29)
TypeSupporters' group,Ultras group
ClubBashundhara Kings
MottoAlways supportive
LocationDhaka, Bangladesh
StadiumBashundhara Kings Arena
StandNorth Gallery
FounderMD Saruare Alam Khan
MD Omayes Sarker
Colours   

History

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Bashundhara Kings Ultras is the first recognized official fan club in the history of Bangladeshi club football.[4] It is one of the most popular and active fan clubs in Bangladesh. Since the establishment of Bashundhara Kings Ultras, they have been present in the gallery for 100% of the club's games due to their unwavering support, Bashundhara Kings Ultras have been allocated the North Gallery for Mid-ground Ultras.[5] They are part of the promotion of the World Ultras and a driving force behind the renaissance of modern football. Bashundhara Kings Ultras are also famous for making big tifos. Bashundhara Kings Ultras brought a 1200 square feet tifo against Abahani on July 14, the biggest tifo ever in Bangladesh football. Bashundhara Kings Ultras manages their members through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, and Telegram. The contribution of Bashundhara Kings Ultras is the most significant in increasing the popularity of Bangladesh Football and Bashundhara Kings and the presence of visitors in the gallery. They are the first to bring colorful smoke and pyro to the gallery of Bangladesh football.[6] Ultras have members in almost all districts.[7] So far there are 6 zonal squads and approximately 500 active ultras members in this organization. The Bashundhara Kings Ultras Facebook group has over 38,000 members, the largest in the history of Bangladeshi club football fan bases.[8]

Members

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The following committee was formed on 23 September 2024 for the 2024-25 season.

Position Name Ref.
Chief Advisor MD Imrul Hasan [9]
President MD Saruare Alam Khan [10]
General Secretary MD Omayes Sarkar [11]
Organising Secretary MD Mahfojur Rahman [12]
Joint Secretary Oraka Bin Rafsan Jani Torongo [13]
MD Tufayel Ahmed Parvez
International Affairs Secretary MD Shah Newaz [14]
Treasurer MD Masud Rana
Membership Secretary Zehad Hossain [15]
Simanto Biswas
Media Secretary Mohammed Masud Alam [16]
Shariful Islam Durlav
MD Abdulla All Noman
Event Secretary Shajib Ahmed [17]
Farhad Hossen Setu
Abu Talha Sami [18]
Md Fahim Golder
Logistics Secretary Akramul Haque Toha [19]
Md Fardin
Fakhrul Islam
Social Service Secretary MD Mainul Islam [20]
Arif Hossain
Mohammad Fahad [21]
MD Payel
Public Relations Secretary Rifat Hossen Masud [22]
Rakibul Hasan Shuvo
Executive Member MD Hafizul Islam [23]
Rony Mia
Md Mehedi Hasan

2021 Journey and vision

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The Golden era of Bangladesh football was 19th century. Although South Asia conquered excitement of football in the 21 century, No subsequent couldn't touch frenzy and excitement of 90s. The awakening of European football had been started in Bangladesh during that time via the electronic media and satellite. Thirteen officials European fans club had been formed at that time, with around 50+ European Football Facebook group. Despite this awakening, the Gallery of domestic football was once empty. MD Saruare Alam Khan created a Facebook page named "bashundhara kings ultras" on 29 April 2021 with the conviction of bringing young football fans addicted to European football to the gallery of domestic football. Basically the journey of ultras started through this page. After that, under the management of co-founders Omayes Sarkar and Mahamudul Rifat, the messenger group and Facebook group slowly continued to collect members.

Ultras made their first official gallery debut on February 17, 2022, after developing their structure in the early years, On February 1, 2022, Bashundhara Kings Ultras was recognized as "Official Fan Club" through a certificate signed by Mr. Md. Imrul Hasan, President of Bashundhara Kings. After that, the work of collecting members across the country started through the creation of various zones. Currently the number of volunteers and members is more than 500.

Bashundhara Kings feels that there has always been excitement and demand for football in this country.[24]

The Ultras want to bring that excitement to the gallery and talk about all the demands that are needed in the interest of football from the gallery.

Bashundhara Kings Ultras have come up with various innovations in their events to bring the youth to the gallery.[25]

Initial years:2021–2023

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Bashundhara Kings Ultras have brought several innovations since getting official recognition from the club within 2 years of its establishment. At the beginning it was difficult to recognize the ideology of ultras, but as a result of their activities, ultras are now a familiar name to everyone. The country's football has come back to life in the gallery. In addition to the national team, Bashundhara Kings had a large audience in the gallery. In mid-2022, Bashundhara Kings Ultras started flying color smoke in the gallery, a new addition to the gallery of Bangladesh football. After that, along with color smoke, fireworks (Pyro), vuvuzela, drum, the collective presence was visible.

Bashundhara Kings Ultras also caught the attention of fans of other teams in the gallery. On 7 November 2023, some members of Mohun Bagan supporters group "Mariners Basecamp – Ultras Mohun Bagan" came to watch their away match (Bashundhara Kings' Home Match) held at Bashundhara Kings Arena.[26] Bashundhara Kings Ultras gave them a warm welcome and exchanged greetings and gifts. They lost 2-1 that match.[27] Bashundhara Kings Ultras also displayed a 1,200 square feet tifo with its own logo for the match against Dhaka Abahani on July 14 last year, which is considered the biggest tifo in Bangladesh football so far. Kings Ultras set a precedent for watching matches through screenings like European fans. As the last match of the AFC Cup group stage was played in India on December 11, Ultras members could not go to India due to visa complications. In support of their favorite club, for the first time, “Live Match Screening” is organized, where half a hundred members enjoy the game. Bashundhara Kings Ultras not only live in the gallery but also play on the field to spread the football spirit. The capital Dhaka , Mymensingh and Gopalganj have their own underground futsal teams. They have participated in several futsal tournaments so far. All in all, Bashundhara Kings Ultras have innovated their activities, which has easily caught the attention of the young football lovers of the country.

Future Plan

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The Chairman of Bashundhara Kings Ultras is working to increase the number of members and do something new [28] to the Ultras to attract more fan around the country.[29]

Activities

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Ultras' members was present at Kings Arena to support their team in AFC Cup 2023/24 Match against Mohun Bagan SG.[30] BKU's members was present in the stand in their most important match so far of the season of BPL against Dhaka Abahani.They won match 0-2 away from home.[31]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ TBS, Sports (18 December 2023). "Bashundhara Kings Ultras: The first fan club of its kind in Bangladesh". The Business Standard.
  2. ^ Daily Observer, Sports (7 February 2023). "Bashundhara Kings Ultras recognised as an official fan club". Daily Observer.
  3. ^ Kalerkantho, Sports (6 February 2023). "Bashundhara Kings Ultras got official recognition". Kalerkontho. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023.
  4. ^ "অফিশিয়াল স্বীকৃতি পেল বসুন্ধরা কিংস আল‍ট্রাস". www.kalerkantho.com (in Bengali). 23 February 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  5. ^ "অফিসিয়াল ফ্যান ক্লাবের স্বীকৃতি পেলো বসুন্ধরা কিংস আলট্রাস". www.ekusheysangbad.com (in Bengali). 4 February 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  6. ^ "যেখানে দক্ষিণ এশিয়ায় প্রথম বসুন্ধরা কিংস". www.banglanews24.com (in Bengali). 2 October 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  7. ^ "বসুন্ধরা কিংসের শুরুর প্রেক্ষাপট". www.protidinerbangladesh.com (in Bengali). 2 October 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  8. ^ "প্রথম বাংলাদেশি ক্লাব হিসেবে এএফসি চ্যাম্পিয়ন্স লিগে বসুন্ধরা কিংস". www.channel24bd.tv.com (in Bengali). 8 November 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Chief Advisor". Retrieved 6 October 2024 – via Facebook.
  10. ^ "president". Retrieved 4 October 2024 – via Facebook.
  11. ^ "General Secretary". Retrieved 3 October 2024 – via Facebook.
  12. ^ "organising Secretary". Retrieved 2 October 2024 – via Facebook.
  13. ^ "Joint Secretary". Retrieved 30 September 2024 – via Facebook.
  14. ^ "International Affairs Secretary and Treasurer". Retrieved 1 October 2024 – via Facebook.
  15. ^ "Membership Secretary". Retrieved 29 September 2024 – via Facebook.
  16. ^ "Media Secretary". Retrieved 29 September 2024 – via Facebook.
  17. ^ "Event Secretary". Retrieved 27 September 2024 – via Facebook.
  18. ^ "Event Secretary". Retrieved 27 September 2024 – via Facebook.
  19. ^ "Logistics Secretary". Retrieved 26 September 2024 – via Facebook.
  20. ^ "Social Service Secretary". Retrieved 25 September 2024 – via Facebook.
  21. ^ "Social Service Secretary". Retrieved 25 September 2024 – via Facebook.
  22. ^ "Public Relations Secretary". Retrieved 24 September 2024 – via Facebook.
  23. ^ "Executive Member". Retrieved 23 September 2024 – via Facebook.
  24. ^ "কিংস অ্যারিনা মাতিয়ে রাখছে আলট্রাস". www.bd-pratidin.com (in Bengali). 3 February 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  25. ^ "নতুনত্ব নিয়ে আসছে বসুন্ধরা কিংস আলট্রাস". banglanews24.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  26. ^ "মোহনবাগানকে হারিয়ে শীর্ষে বসুন্ধরা কিংস". www.banglanews24.com (in Bengali). 9 November 2023.
  27. ^ "Bashundhara Shock For Mohun Bagan In AFC Cup". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 8 November 2023.
  28. ^ "গ্যালারি মাতিয়ে রাখতে নতুনত্ব নিয়ে হাজির 'আলট্রাস'". www.channel24bd.tv (in Bengali). 25 January 2024.
  29. ^ "নতুনত্বই লক্ষ্য বসুন্ধরা কিংস আলট্রাসের". www.offsidebangladesh.com (in Bengali). 25 January 2024.
  30. ^ Khelnow, Sports (7 November 2023). "AFC Cup: Bashundhara Kings beat heavyweights Mohun Bagan". Khelnow.
  31. ^ Offside Bangladesh, Football (26 January 2024). "কিংস জুজু'তে আবারো পরাভূত আবাহনী". www.offsidebangladesh.com (in Bengali).