The sporting clubs are out to restore their tarnished images after the countrywide crackdown on casinos that were being operated there.
Although the transfer of players for Premier League started on Oct 1, 38-year-old Muktijoddha Shangshad Krira Chakra is yet to participate.
“We are trying to arrange funds for the transfer. We hope that we can participate in time,” the club’s administrator Jahurul Islam Chowdhury told Bangla Tribune.
“A space of our club was rented out and the rent was deposited in a bank which was used for club operations,” he added.
Islam said that they were trying to arrange for funds from elsewhere to resume regular club operations.
Other clubs along with Muktijuddha club want to restore their images and some have already started participating the games.
However, despite wanting to return to the sporting arena, the clubs are lacking funds due to the top members either being in police custody or in hiding for their involvement in the casino scandals.
Those familiar with club operations said that they are trying to overcome the crisis by reaching out to area-based patrons.
On Oct 18 the Rapid Action Battalion busted several casinos across Dhaka including Fakirerpool Youngmen’s Club and Wanderer’s Club.
On Sept 20, Kalabagan Krira Chakra was raided and sealed off while its chief Shafiqul Islam Firoze was arrested for illegal possession of foreign gun, contraband yaba and liquor.
Although, no casinos were found there, the elite police unit seized playing cards and gambling chips saying that a casino was operated there at some point.
The players and employees steered clear of the club since it was sealed off. However, the employees returned on Sept 30 after assurance from the area’s lawmaker.
Those involved with club activities said that in order to take part in the transfer of players, Kalabagan Krira Chakra needed Tk 3 million which they couldn’t withdraw from the bank since the club president is in jail. It arranged Tk 2 million within a day without any help from Bangladesh Cricket Board and participated on Oct 1.
Former member secretary of Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM) Yusuf Chowdhury was seen overseeing his duties at the Krira Chakra.
“No one came to the club as everything was halted following an untoward incident,” he told Bangla Tribune and added that regular activities have resumed.
He said that despite the obstacles they now have a team and have already completed the T-20 in the first division.
Several organisations within the club wishing to remain anonymous said that a casino was once operated in two rooms that were rented out.
Meanwhile, despite being sealed off Young Men’s Club at Fakirerpool has participated in the Bangladesh Championship League football. Dhaka Wanderer’s Club has also participated.
However, Arambag Krira Sangha and Dilkusha Sporting Club haven’t resumed activities since being sealed off after the raids.
So far 18 people including the likes of top Jubo League leaders such as Ismail Hossain Samrat have been arrested over the illegal casino operations. During the raids, a mobile court slapped 201 people with monetary fines as well as different prison terms.