The Rangpur Riders-BSJA Media Cup cricket tournament is set to get underway on Monday at Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium, with 32 reputed media houses vying for the prestigious title.

The six-a-side tournament, organised by the Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association (BSJA) and powered by ACE Developers, is an annual event for working journalists.

Bangladesh Cricket Board director and former national captain Faruque Ahmed, along with former captain Habibul Bashar, are expected to attend the opening ceremony. The tournament, co-sponsored by Nabil Group, ACME and Ispahani Group, also saw Rangpur Riders captain Nurul Hasan Sohan attend the jersey unveiling and team groupings at the BOA auditorium on Sunday.

"It is a very good initiative to organise a cricket tournament for working journalists. Sports keep them fresh mentally, and I hope similar initiatives continue in the future," Sohan said at the press conference.

Rangpur Riders' head of operations, Tasvir Ul Islam said, "We are proud to be associated with the Media Cup. Journalists will enjoy the tournament beyond their daily workload, and we wish for a successful event while congratulating every participating house."

BSJA president Arifur Rahman Babu said, "Journalists eagerly await the Media Cup every year, and the wait ends this Monday. Like the previous edition, this tournament will be highly competitive. We also thank our sponsors, without whose support this tournament would not have been possible, and hope they continue their support in the future."

Star News CEO and BCB media committee vice-chairman M Mokhlesur Kamal, ACME head of consumer products Lt Col (Rtd) Engineer M Ali Reza, BSJA vice-president Raihan Al Mugni, general secretary SM Sumon, and joint secretary Arafat Zubaear were also present at the occasion.

On the opening day, seven matches will be held: Bangladesh Protidin vs Daily Manabzamin, Somoy TV vs Daily Naya Diganta, ATN Bangla vs Cricfenzy, Jago News vs DBC TV, Channel I vs Daily Kalbela, T-Sports vs Daily Kaler Kantho, Daily Sun vs Daily Desh Rupantor, and The Daily Star vs Daily Inqilab.