The Housing and Public Works Ministry cancelled Abahani Limited’s 99-year lease of 10.96 acres of land at Dhanmondi Cricket Ground on May 11, 2026, and refused to reinstate the contract on August 3, citing outstanding fees and breaches of the lease conditions.

Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, adviser to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, emphasised the need for large-scale self-defence training in light of the country’s geopolitical position and reality.