On the opening day of their preparation, the popular Dhanmondi outfit held a one-hour practice session at their club ground following a milad mahfil.

With Argentine coach Diego Cruciani, who was at the helm of the Bangladesh national football team for more than a year before being relieved in August last year, yet to give his green signal, veteran Amlesh Sen was in charge of the squad.

Cruciani is expected to arrive with four Argentine booters but he has yet to ensure a date.

Only Shahajuddin Tipu missed the sky-blues' first day's training as the former national striker had to attend his sick child.

Meanwhile, Muktijoddha Sangsad who like Abahani failed to win a major trophy in the last season, will kick off training at the Army Stadium tomorrow under Abu Yusuf.

Yusuf, who is also looking after the national Olympic squad (under-23), will have one foreign player -- Ghana's Charles Ghansah -- in the camp.

Muktijoddha's official practice venue is the Uttara Police Battalion ground but the Reds are expected to use the Army Stadium also.

Mohammedan, who after a poor start closed the previous season with the prestigious National League title, have yet to find a permanent ground, one of the basic requirements for the Pro League.

The black and whites, the first team to start practice this season, have eyes on three grounds -- Dhaka University, Rajarbagh Police Lines and the BDR ground -- but the officials have yet to secure any.

Mohammedan initially opted to have Sylhet as their home venue but finally backed out and decided to have the Bangabandhu National Stadium as their home ground like Abahani, Muktijoddha, Brothers, Arambagh, Rahmatganj and Sheikh Russel. The other team from the capital -- Farashganj -- will be based in Ringmaster.

Khulna Abahani, Chittagong Abahani and Mohammedan and Sylhet DSA are the remaining teams outside from Dhaka.