The 1969 Dhaka First Division Football League, was the 22nd edition of the Dhaka First Division Football League following the partition of India. It was played from 18 May 1969 to 23 October 1969, with the venues being the Inner Stadium, Outer Stadium, and the Dacca Stadium. The league was won by Mohammedan Sporting, who achieved an unbeatable season, finishing with 39 points.
Overview
The 1969 Dacca Football League, began on 18 May, and ran till 23 October. Victoria announced their withdrawal from the league on 19th May after being forced out of their club tent, a move that was expected to result in relegation. However, they were later granted a pardon and allowed to rejoin the league the following season.
Mohammedan achieved a historic league triumph, winning twenty, drawing once, and finishing with no losses. Ali Nawaz Baloch of Mohammedan finished as the top goal-scorer of the league with 45 goals in 19 appearances to his name. Runners-up Dilkusha, who had notably assembled a side, which included several former Pakistani internationals, such as, Moosa Ghazi, Muhammad Umer, Qadir Bakhsh, Abid Hussain Ghazi, Yousuf Jr., etc. EPIDC, who withdrew after 18 games, finished third place in the league, with the inner-trio of Sardar Aslam, Abdul Jabbar, and Ayub Dar contributing to several of the team's wins. Overall, 12 teams participated in the league, with EGP Press finishing at the last place.
Throughout the league season, several incidents occurred that were criticised by majority of the spectators, critics, and governing sportsmen, the East Pakistan Sports Federation was heavily criticised due to its lack of proper management regarding matches and schedule.
Final standings
Matches
East End vs EGP Press match sources are yet to be found
The league was temporarily stopped due to the Dacca Stadium being the venue for the 1969 Independence Day Football Tournament. It was resumed on 19 August.
The match between Dilkusha and Fire Service, which was to be held on 24 August, was postponed due to two of Dilkusha's players attending a coaching camp. League matches from August 26 till September 6 were also suspended due to the celebration of Pakistan Defence Day.
The match between Dilkusha and Dacca Wanderers, which was to be held on 8 September, was postponed by the East Pakistan Sports Federation.
Matches were suspended due to the 1969 RCD Cup and several other tournaments taking place, the matches were then resumed on 3 October.
EPIDC withdrew from the league in a letter to the East Pakistan Sports Federation, due to not being satisfied with the fact that a fixture of the EPIDC and PWD could not be replayed.
The Dilkusha and Police match which was to be held on 19 October, was postponed.
Notes
References