Maruful gets his wishes

Mohammedan Sporting Club finally decided to launch their pre-season preparation on Sunday, burying a hatchet with coach Maruful Haq and verbally confirming that they would compete in the Federation Cup when it gets underway on September 10.
The Black and Whites high ups had a successful meeting with their coach Maruful at the club's Motijheel tent yesterday.
MA Salam, the chairman of the football committee, said that they happily accepted things the coach had raised in the meeting and the face-lift of the players' tent would take place immediately.
Although Mohammedan reappointed Maruful on Thursday, the coach wanted an assurance from the club officials regarding a few things like uninterrupted training facility, improved accommodation and proper food for the players before putting pen to paper.
Replying to a query, Maruful said that the officials had accepted his 'fair' proposals. He was particularly happy after getting a positive response from the club officials that he would get a ready venue after having a short training at Mymensingh.
Maruful, who led Mohammedan to two title glories save the prestigious B League last year, said that his team would train at the BUET ground for two days before heading to Mymensingh on Tuesday for a two-week conditioning camp.
He will, however, get little time to gel his star-studded team before launching the title defence in the Federation Cup.
"The time we will get is not enough to prepare the boys. But I will try my level best," said Maruful, who guided Mohammedan to Federation Cup and one-crore-Taka Super Cup titles and runners-up behind two-times champions Abahani in the B. League last season.
Maruful, however, had to endure a lot of adversities last season when he had to fight with the other club officials to establish his style of coaching. Besides, the players often threatened to boycott camp to press home their demand for unpaid wages.
But this time around Maruful could be rest assured that money would not be a problem with Mohammedan already luring last season's star striker Zahid Hossain Emily and star defender Wali Faisal from Abahani.
Besides, MA Salam said that that they were on the verge of retaining Nigerian striker Alamu Bukola Olaleken, who scored the highest 18 goals in B. League last season.