Muktijoddha's national fullback Hassan Al Mamun (R) shares a laugh with his teammates during a training session at the BUET ground yesterday. The Reds are preparing for the Victory Day football tournament, which begins tomorrow in the city.Photo: STAR

All eyes will be on the three local heavyweights when the Protiti Pharma Victory Day football tournament kicks off tomorrow at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
Mohammedan Sporting Club, organisers of the eight-team event, feel they are under no pressure to keep the trophy home.
Muktijoddha Sangsad, however, want to bag the trophy after a poor 2007 and believe that the Victory Day trophy would be better displayed at the home of the freedom fighters.
For Abahani, inaugural professional league champions last year, it would be a matter of prestige and a mission to establish their supremacy in the new season.
Although there had been no football in the capital for the last six months, the players, however, would not be unprepared as they go for the meet. Numerous tournaments outside Dhaka last year provided the footballers the chance to get tuned even in the off-season.
The clubs, however, never got the chance to train as a unit for long due the booters' frequent absence for the 'khap' or trips to different districts.
Mohammedan coach Shafiqul Islam Manik said their preparation was not 'adequate'.
"Players have been busy for 'khap' but we have taken it lightly for their financial benefit. I wanted them to train together for the past week but the weather did not permit that," said Manik adding that the black and whites were in an inferior position from last year's B. League, where they finished runners-up.
"We have lost the foreign imports who shaped our professional league performance. We were even better during the three-match series against Abahani, which we won. Now several important players are injured," the former national footballer told.
First-choice goalkeeper Himel is injured; his deputy Al Amin has been released for the Senior Division League while Belal and midfielders Mithu and Ripon are also unavailable.
Manik has invited goalies Shakil and Zia, veteran defender Jewel Rana and midfielders Faisal Mahmud and Monwar from Brothers Union and Chittagong Mohammedan's Saikat to feel in the gaps. Nigerian forward Charles Figo is the only foreign recruit.
"Abahani and Muktijoddha are in better shape. Sometimes the hosts have to sacrifice and I feel we are not under pressure to win this. It would be a prestige issue for us as the three teams in our group are in form, having been playing in the Senior Division.
"They are also under good coaches like Abu Yusuf (Victoria) and Mohammad Faruk (Youngmen's) and I feel the group would be competitive."
Abahani manager Satyajit Das Rupu, also irked by the absence of players, said he wanted to have the boys in camp at least for the last week.
"But some of them went to play outside. Anyway, we have been training for one month and every time Abahani start a tournament, they eye nothing but the trophy," said the former midfield international.
The big news for the sky-blues is that defender Sujan will return to action after a yearlong injury.
"Sujan looks okay. But his fitness level will be proved in match condition," said Rupu whose guests are Farashganj striker Robin and Rahmatganj centre-back Sunny.
When asked whether the club would take this tournament to select a few new players for the coming season, Rupu said it was too early.
"Although the footballers are talking about the transfers coming soon, we are really uncertain. Let the federation give us a schedule, then we will see. But we have decided to continue camp till the AFC President's Cup in Nepal in April," added the sky-blues manager.
With Brothers and Sheikh Russel not playing, Muktijoddha have roped in one player each from the big names to strengthen their squad.
The Reds, who will miss injured veterans Moni and Matiur Munna, have added Brothers forward Manju and Russel back Hassan apart from getting back Jony, who was on loan to Chittagong Mohammedan. Arambagh's Iddi Badambuze will be their only foreign recruit.
"The players are in good shape and we have been training for one month. Its true we could not practise as a unit due to players' commitment in district tournaments. But these matches have kept us fit for the last six months as well as giving financial security," said national captain Hassan Al Mamun, who will be deputy to Muktijoddha captain Arman Mia.
"Our coach (Atiqur Rahman) allowed them to go because most of them had taken advances.
"We are serious because this is the Victory Day tournament. It would be great to win it for the freedom fighters," Hassan commented.