Imrul Gazi full of praise for Bangladesh Football Association and Canary Wharf Group for organising big event at Victoria Road

East London Advertiser: The Sporting Bengal United academy train on the Dagenham & Redbridge pitch (pic: Imrul Gazi).The Sporting Bengal United academy train on the Dagenham & Redbridge pitch (pic: Imrul Gazi). (Image: Archant)

Sporting Bengal United’s academy coach Imrul Gazi was delighted that some of his youngsters were able to train on Dagenham & Redbridge’s Victoria Road pitch on Monday.

The National League club, who were relegated from League Two last season, welcomed their fellow east Londoners and had a host of other events taking place on the Bank Holiday.

East London Advertiser: Sporting Bengal United coach Imrul Gazi tries to capture the amount of people in attendace at Dagenham & Redbridge on Monday (pic: Imrul Gazi).Sporting Bengal United coach Imrul Gazi tries to capture the amount of people in attendace at Dagenham & Redbridge on Monday (pic: Imrul Gazi). (Image: Archant)

It was the Bangladesh Football Association’s Community Day and it started with the Bengal academy players having a coaching session on the pitch.

Afterwards, a Canary Wharf Community Exhibition match took place from 12.30pm, before the big event on the day.

East London Advertiser: The Sporting Bengal United coaches face the camera at Dagenham & Redbridge (pic: Imrul Gazi).The Sporting Bengal United coaches face the camera at Dagenham & Redbridge (pic: Imrul Gazi). (Image: Archant)

The BFA Community Football League Cup final saw FC Bengals take on their Premier Division rivals Aberfeldy at 3pm.

And FC Bengals finished as champions after running out 4-2 winners on a fantastic day that was organised by the BFA and Canary Wharf Group.

“It’s becoming an annual event now because we did it last year as well. It was a great experience for all the boys to play on a professional pitch,” said Gazi.

“We did an hour-long session and invited players from other teams like Redbridge Rangers. I think we had around 60 kids taking part overall.

“The youngest was six and the eldest lad there was 14 and the main event was the Community Football League Cup final which is run by the BFA.”

Gazi is the vice-chairman of the BFA and praised the Canary Wharf Group for helping play a big part in arranging the event.

Aberfeldy contributed towards the overall attendance and although it wasn’t officially recorded, Sporting Bengal’s under-14 coach insisted over 350 were present at Victoria Road.

Gazi added: “FC Bengals could probably compete with a lot of semi-professional teams, they’ve got a lot of Saturday footballers who are playing in the Ryman League, but play for FC Bengals on Sunday’s.

“Aberfeldy FC is full of local boys. They’re an east London club, that has a lot of 21 and 22-year-olds and had around 150 supporters for the final. Overall we had 350-400 there watching and we are hoping to get even more for the 2017 event.

“Credit to Aberfeldy for bringing so many and I have to say a massive thank you to the Canary Wharf Group. They organised the event with the BFA and support the community of Tower Hamlets so well.”