| Bashundhara Kings Ultras | |
| Abbreviation: | BKU |
| Nickname: | Red Army |
| Club: | Bashundhara Kings |
| Motto: | Always supportive |
| Type: | Supporters' group,Ultras group |
| Stadium: | --> |
| Location: | Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Leader Title: | Founder |
| Leader Name: | MD Saruare Alam Khan MD Omayes Sarker |
| Colors: | Red |
| Stand: | North Gallery |
| Stadium: | Bashundhara Kings Arena |
Bashundhara Kings Ultras (BKU) (Bengali: বসুন্ধরা কিংস আল্ট্রাস) is the first registered fan club in Bangladesh,[1] which was established on 29 April 2021, and supports the Bangladeshi club, Bashundhara Kings.[2] It is one of the largest fan clubs in the country.[3]
See main article: Bashundhara Kings. Bashundhara Kings Ultras is the first recognized official fan club in the history of Bangladeshi club football.[4] It is one of the most popular and active fan clubs in Bangladesh. Since the establishment of Bashundhara Kings Ultras, they have been present in the gallery for 100% of the club's games due to their unwavering support, Bashundhara Kings Ultras have been allocated the North Gallery for Mid-ground Ultras.[5] They are part of the promotion of the World Ultras and a driving force behind the renaissance of modern football. Bashundhara Kings Ultras are also famous for making big tifos. Bashundhara Kings Ultras brought a 1200 square feet tifo against Abahani on July 14, the biggest tifo ever in Bangladesh football. Bashundhara Kings Ultras manages their members through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, and Telegram. The contribution of Bashundhara Kings Ultras is the most significant in increasing the popularity of Bangladesh Football and Bashundhara Kings and the presence of visitors in the gallery. They are the first to bring colorful smoke and pyro to the gallery of Bangladesh football.[6] Ultras have members in almost all districts.[7] So far there are 6 zonal squads and approximately 500 active ultras members in this organization. The Bashundhara Kings Ultras Facebook group has over 38,000 members, the largest in the history of Bangladeshi club football fan bases.[8]
The Golden era of Bangladesh football was 19th century. Although South Asia conquered excitement of football in the 21 century, No subsequent couldn't touch frenzy and excitement of 90s. The awakening of European football had been started in Bangladesh during that time via the electronic media and satellite. Thirteen officials European fans club had been formed at that time, with around 50+ European Football Facebook group. Despite this awakening, the Gallery of domestic football was once empty. MD Saruare Alam Khan created a Facebook page named "bashundhara kings ultras" on 29 April 2021 with the conviction of bringing young football fans addicted to European football to the gallery of domestic football. Basically the journey of ultras started through this page. After that, under the management of co-founders Omayes Sarkar and Mahamudul Rifat, the messenger group and Facebook group slowly continued to collect members.
Ultras made their first official gallery debut on February 17, 2022, after developing their structure in the early years, On February 1, 2022, Bashundhara Kings Ultras was recognized as "Official Fan Club" through a certificate signed by Mr. Md. Imrul Hasan, President of Bashundhara Kings. After that, the work of collecting members across the country started through the creation of various zones. Currently the number of volunteers and members is more than 500.
Bashundhara Kings feels that there has always been excitement and demand for football in this country.[9]
The Ultras want to bring that excitement to the gallery and talk about all the demands that are needed in the interest of football from the gallery.
Bashundhara Kings Ultras have come up with various innovations in their events to bring the youth to the gallery.[10]
Bashundhara Kings Ultras have brought several innovations since getting official recognition from the club within 2 years of its establishment. At the beginning it was difficult to recognize the ideology of ultras, but as a result of their activities, ultras are now a familiar name to everyone.The country's football has come back to life in the gallery. In addition to the national team, Bashundhara Kings had a large audience in the gallery. In mid-2022, Bashundhara Kings Ultras started flying color smoke in the gallery, a new addition to the gallery of Bangladesh football. After that, along with color smoke, fireworks (Pyro), vuvuzela, drum, the collective presence was visible.
Bashundhara Kings Ultras also caught the attention of fans of other teams in the gallery. On 7 November 2023, some members of Mohun Bagan supporters group "Mariners Basecamp – Ultras Mohun Bagan" came to watch their away match (Bashundhara Kings' Home Match) held at Bashundhara Kings Arena.[11] Bashundhara Kings Ultras gave them a warm welcome and exchanged greetings and gifts.They lost 2-1 that match.[12] Bashundhara Kings Ultras also displayed a 1,200 square feet tifo with its own logo for the match against Dhaka Abahani on July 14 last year, which is considered the biggest tifo in Bangladesh football so far.Kings Ultras set a precedent for watching matches through screenings like European fans. As the last match of the AFC Cup group stage was played in India on December 11, Ultras members could not go to India due to visa complications. In support of their favorite club, for the first time, “Live Match Screening” is organized, where half a hundred members enjoy the game. Bashundhara Kings Ultras not only live in the gallery but also play on the field to spread the football spirit. The capital Dhaka, Mymensingh and Gopalganj have their own underground futsal teams. They have participated in several futsal tournaments so far.All in all, Bashundhara Kings Ultras have innovated their activities, which has easily caught the attention of the young football lovers of the country.
The Chairman of Bashundhara Kings Ultras is working to increase the number of members and do something new [13] to the Ultras to attract more fan around the country.[14]
Ultras' members was present at Kings Arena to support their team in AFC Cup 2023/24 Match against Mohun Bagan SG.[15] BKU's members was present in the stand in their most important match so far of the season of BPL against Dhaka Abahani.They won match 0-2 away from home.[16]