This article contains wording that promotes the subject in a subjective manner without imparting real information. (September 2024) |
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 | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Red Army |
| Abbreviation | BKU |
| Established | 29 April 2021 |
| Type | Supporters' group,Ultras group |
| Club | Bashundhara Kings |
| Motto | Always supportive |
| Location | Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Stadium | Bashundhara Kings Arena |
| Stand | North Gallery |
| Founder | MD Saruare Alam Khan MD Omayes Sarker |
| Colours | |
History
editBashundhara Kings Ultras is the first officially recognized fan club in the history of Bangladeshi club football. It is one of the most popular and active fan clubs in Bangladesh. Since its establishment, Bashundhara Kings Ultras has been present at 100% of the club's games, demonstrating unwavering support. They have been allocated the North Gallery as the Mid-ground Ultras.
Bashundhara Kings Ultras play a significant role in promoting the global ultras movement and are a driving force behind the renaissance of modern in Bangladesh. They are also well-known for creating large tifos—spectacular displays made by fans. Notably, they produced a 1,200 square-foot tifo against Abahani on July 14, marking it as the biggest tifo in Bangladeshi football history.
The organization manages its members through various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, and Telegram. Their contributions have significantly increased the popularity of Bangladesh football and the Bashundhara Kings, as well as boosting attendance in the gallery. Additionally, Bashundhara Kings Ultras were the first to introduce colorful smoke and pyro effects to the stands in Bangladeshi football.
With members in almost all districts of Bangladesh, there are currently six zonal squads and approximately 500 active members within the organization. The Bashundhara Kings Ultras Facebook group boasts over 38,000 members, making it the largest fan base in the history of Bangladeshi club football.
Members
editThe following committee was formed on 23 September 2024 for the 2024-25 season.
| Position | Name | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Advisor | MD Imrul Hasan | [4] |
| President | MD Saruare Alam Khan | [5] |
| General Secretary | MD Omayes Sarkar | [6] |
| Organising Secretary | MD Mahfojur Rahman | [7] |
| Joint Secretary | Oraka Bin Rafsan Jani Torongo | [8] |
| MD Tufayel Ahmed Parvez | ||
| International Affairs Secretary | MD Shah Newaz | [9] |
| Treasurer | MD Masud Rana | |
| Membership Secretary | Zehad Hossain | [10] |
| Simanto Biswas | ||
| Media Secretary | Mohammed Masud Alam | [11] |
| Shariful Islam Durlav | ||
| MD Abdulla All Noman | ||
| Event Secretary | Shajib Ahmed | [12] |
| Farhad Hossen Setu | ||
| Abu Talha Sami | [13] | |
| Md Fahim Golder | ||
| Logistics Secretary | Akramul Haque Toha | [14] |
| Md Fardin | ||
| Fakhrul Islam | ||
| Social Service Secretary | MD Mainul Islam | [15] |
| Arif Hossain | ||
| Mohammad Fahad | [16] | |
| MD Payel | ||
| Public Relations Secretary | Rifat Hossen Masud | [17] |
| Rakibul Hasan Shuvo | ||
| Executive Member | MD Hafizul Islam | [18] |
| Rony Mia | ||
| Md Mehedi Hasan |
History and Vision
editOn the 29th of April, 2021, MD Saruare Alam Khan created the Facebook page Bashundhara Kings Ultras in order to garner support for the club and bring Bangladeshi fans to football by showing off support in the domestic league of the country. Under the management of co-founders Omayes Sarkar and Mahmudul Rifat, the Facebook and Messenger group started to slowly gain 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.[19]
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.[20]
Initial years:2021–2023
editBashundhara 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.[21] Bashundhara Kings Ultras gave them a warm welcome and exchanged greetings and gifts. They lost 2-1 that match.[22] 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
editThe Chairman of Bashundhara Kings Ultras is working to increase the number of members and do something new [23] to the Ultras to attract more fan around the country.[24]
Activities
editUltras' members was present at Kings Arena to support their team in AFC Cup 2023/24 Match against Mohun Bagan SG.[25] 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.[26]
See also
editExternal links
editReferences
edit- ^ TBS, Sports (18 December 2023). "Bashundhara Kings Ultras: The first fan club of its kind in Bangladesh". The Business Standard.
- ^ Daily Observer, Sports (7 February 2023). "Bashundhara Kings Ultras recognised as an official fan club". Daily Observer.
- ^ Kalerkantho, Sports (6 February 2023). "Bashundhara Kings Ultras got official recognition". Kalerkontho. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023.
- ^ "Chief Advisor". Retrieved 6 October 2024 – via Facebook.
- ^ "president". Retrieved 4 October 2024 – via Facebook.
- ^ "General Secretary". Retrieved 3 October 2024 – via Facebook.
- ^ "organising Secretary". Retrieved 2 October 2024 – via Facebook.
- ^ "Joint Secretary". Retrieved 30 September 2024 – via Facebook.
- ^ "International Affairs Secretary and Treasurer". Retrieved 1 October 2024 – via Facebook.
- ^ "Membership Secretary". Retrieved 29 September 2024 – via Facebook.
- ^ "Media Secretary". Retrieved 29 September 2024 – via Facebook.
- ^ "Event Secretary". Retrieved 27 September 2024 – via Facebook.
- ^ "Event Secretary". Retrieved 27 September 2024 – via Facebook.
- ^ "Logistics Secretary". Retrieved 26 September 2024 – via Facebook.
- ^ "Social Service Secretary". Retrieved 25 September 2024 – via Facebook.
- ^ "Social Service Secretary". Retrieved 25 September 2024 – via Facebook.
- ^ "Public Relations Secretary". Retrieved 24 September 2024 – via Facebook.
- ^ "Executive Member". Retrieved 23 September 2024 – via Facebook.
- ^ "কিংস অ্যারিনা মাতিয়ে রাখছে আলট্রাস". www.bd-pratidin.com (in Bengali). 3 February 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
- ^ "নতুনত্ব নিয়ে আসছে বসুন্ধরা কিংস আলট্রাস". banglanews24.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 28 January 2024.
- ^ "মোহনবাগানকে হারিয়ে শীর্ষে বসুন্ধরা কিংস". www.banglanews24.com (in Bengali). 9 November 2023.
- ^ "Bashundhara Shock For Mohun Bagan In AFC Cup". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 8 November 2023.
- ^ "গ্যালারি মাতিয়ে রাখতে নতুনত্ব নিয়ে হাজির 'আলট্রাস'". www.channel24bd.tv (in Bengali). 25 January 2024.
- ^ "নতুনত্বই লক্ষ্য বসুন্ধরা কিংস আলট্রাসের". www.offsidebangladesh.com (in Bengali). 25 January 2024.
- ^ Khelnow, Sports (7 November 2023). "AFC Cup: Bashundhara Kings beat heavyweights Mohun Bagan". Khelnow.
- ^ Offside Bangladesh, Football (26 January 2024). "কিংস জুজু'তে আবারো পরাভূত আবাহনী". www.offsidebangladesh.com (in Bengali).