Farewell to Nayeem

BFF president SA Sultan (L) hands over a wristwatch, gifted by Indian coach Syed Nayeemuddin (C), to national football captain Hassan Al Mamun at a local hotel yesterday.Photo: STAR

For the first time in history of Bangladesh football, an outgoing foreign coach received a farewell party when footballers bade Syed Nayeemuddin goodbye yesterday.
The Indian coach, who joined Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) last August, saw his contract terminated after just three months at the start of November.
The 60-year-old Nayeemuddin, who has yet to leave for home, also set an example by giving wristwatches to 30 players -- who belonged to his camp for the Merdeka Cup and Nehru Cup tournaments as well as the World Cup pre-qualifiers.
Nayeemuddin had earlier wanted to give some cash out of his remuneration from the BFF to the players, who refused to take any money.
He finally had his way by handing over the expensive gifts at a party at a local hotel. Although it seemed that Brothers Union were organising the farewell, sources said that it was an effort of BFF president SA Sultan.
Nayeemuddin coached Brothers Union last season -- his second stint at the Gopibagh club in three years -- when the BFF roped him in to prepare the national side for this December's SAFF Championship.
However, once the biennial tournament was shifted to June 2008, the cash-starved BFF showed no intention to keep the former Indian coach and international and expectedly terminated his contract prematurely.
The BFF, however, told the coach that he would be called to take charge if he was free when the next national camp begins.
"If I am still with the BFF, Nayeemuddin will be my first preference as coach. If I'm not here, I'll request the next executive committee of the federation to consider him," said BFF president SA Sultan, who presented the veteran Indian with a crest on behalf of football's governing body in the country. "Nayeem has been sincere. He had many plans but we don't have the fund to continue national camp."
Former national football captain Zakaria Pintu urged the BFF to make exits of all foreign coaches smooth.
"We want to set a standard today so every coach who leaves, gets an official farewell. We don't want bitter departures like the past," Pintu said.
Ex-national coach and Bangladesh international Golam Sarwar Tipu said Bangladesh needed services of a man like Nayeem at the present.
"I've seen him first as a great player. As coach, he is very hard working and I believe he would be able to give the country something," Tipu said of the two-time SAFF Championship winning coach.
Arguably the best striker in the country, Sheikh Mohammed Aslam praised Nayeem's caring attitude.
"When I played for East Bengal in 1991, I was hurt in the face. He took care of me just like a mother would care for his son," said the former Bangladesh international.
National captain Hassan Al Mamun, former captain Badal Roy, Brothers Union's general secretary Mizanuddin Ahmed and football manager Amer Khan were also present.
Amer informed that brothers are interested to have Nayeem as their coach next year season if the domestic football season starts early in 2008.
Nayeem, who is expected to leave Dhaka tomorrow, was as usual praising the booters.
"I really respect these players' dedication. The way they fought despite lacking facilities has really amazed me," said Nayeem.
"They are like and that's why I wanted to do something for them before I left."