B'desh-China friendlies in doubt?

Deputy minister for youth and sports Arif Khan Joy has instructed the authority concerned to reconsider allotment of funds for four friendly football matches between Bangladesh and China at youth level in an effort to mark the 40th anniversary of the Bangladesh-China diplomatic relationship.

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has estimated a budget of Tk one crore for four friendly matches -- two in China and two in Bangladesh -- after the youth and sports ministry had proposed the BFF to make a budget regarding those matches scheduled for March next year.

But the secretary of the youth and sports ministry had recommended the deputy minister to scrap the proposal, citing a lack of fund.

“Yesterday (Wednesday) I recommended the concerned people to provide the minimum fund after reviewing the BFF budget because it is important to strengthen the friendship between the two countries,” said Joy, who is also a vice president of Bangladesh Football Federation.