I'm an ambitious mad man: Salahuddin

It all happened here Dhaka. A full-strength Argentina came here to play a FIFA international friendly against Nigeria, which was also their best. Lionel Messi, the world's best football player, also came, and more importantly, played full ninety minutes and enthralled near-full crowd at the Banga-bandhu National Stadium Tuesday night.
No doubt, bringing two-time FIFA world-player-of-the-year Messi to Bangladesh was a very ambitious project on part of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), but now after hosting the Argentina-Nigeria friendly successfully the game's governing body can dare to dream for more.
It was only possible because of the visionary BFF president, Kazi Sahaluddin, who had earlier introduced the money-spinning Tk 1-crore Super Cup tournament in the country that was also a daydream to many before its inception.
Two things -- create enthusiasm among budding booters and show the world that Bangladesh is capable of hosting an international match involving two-time world champions -- were the driving force behind the BFF to host the Argentina-Nigeria match and Salahuddin believes the image of the country has been lifted and the next football generation will be inspired after watching the match.
"Though it is too early to comment but I believe hosting Argentina and Nigeria has lifted the image of Bangladesh in the world and it will definitely act as a huge inspiration among the next generation," said Salahuddin.
"Now the onus rests on our current footballers to improve their standard of play and I believe they will be more competitive in the upcoming season," he added.
"I want to capitalise on the Argentina-Nigeria match by taking the youth programme to district level as top-level competitions like the Professional League, Super Cup and Federation Cup are all settled issue," said the former national striker.
Salahuddin could hardly watch the game Tuesday as there was no seat reserved for him, but he had no regrets because he achieved what he wanted; making the people of the country see history with their own eyes.
"May be I am an ambitious mad man and that's why I can implement what I think, but I am happy to make the country's people witness history," said Salahuddin, adding that Messi probably came to Dhaka at his pick and showed everything on the pitch except a goal which he came so close to do.
Salahuddin doesn't want to say anything early regarding his next target, but one thing he learnt from the Nigeria-Argentina match for sure is take more time before finalising the contract instead of one or two days.
"I have learnt a lot of things by hosing this international friendly though we had a lot of loopholes because of lack of experience, but I can assure you that everything will be in place next time," said Salahuddin.
The BFF boss was lavish in his praise for sponsors Beximco Group and believed that he had earned faith of different corporate houses and hoped they would come forward at the time of need.