It's just a rumour!
BFF president Kazi Salahuddin (R) and senior vice-president Abdus Salam Murshedi talking with ailing former footballer Ching Hlang Maung Mari at Square Hospital yesterday.Photo: STAR
The employees of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) spent a very panicky May Day due to a rumour that the newly elected executive committee has asked all the staff to resign.
The fear gripped the long-serving workers till yesterday but BFF president Kazi Salahuddin killed the rumour saying that he or his committee has done no such thing.
"It's pure misunderstanding. I want to know the particulars of the whole staff, so I have given a directive that all the employees submit their brief bio-data," Salahuddin told the Daily Star last night.
"I have to know who is good for what and where I can place them during my tenure to get the maximum. Some of the staff may even get promotion. In fact, I am not aware of the qualifications of the members of the BFF staff.
"I have also told that those who are not interested to work with this committee can resign.
"People must have misunderstood this move," added the former national footballer, who was elected president on Monday.
It was learned that vice-president Manzoor Hossain Malu conveyed the message to the workforce of football's governing body in the country on Wednesday in presence of the president.
The message was misinterpreted and everyone was frightened thinking that their jobs were at stake. When the staff wanted confirmation, they came to know about the fact from the officials.
Salahuddin even called a staff and said that his message was misunderstood. "I'm not here to sack someone," Salahuddin was quoted by the staff.
It was also learned that Salahuddin has already requested AFC vice-president and FIFA development officer Manilal Fernando, who was in Dhaka to supervise the BFF election, to reduce fees of a special FIFA course on management for a few of the staff.
"Its true we panicked at the start. But the committee actually wants to know our present status. So we have been told to give some information in writing, that is designation, qualification, how long we have been working for the post and a few more particulars," said a BFF staff seeking anonymity.
"It is applicable for all the working members of the federation. Also, if anyone wishes not to work under this committee can resign, we have been told," he added.
It can be mentioned that Salahuddin's predecessor SA Sultan had sacked a few staff immediately after taking charge and he was heavily criticised for the action. Even in the last week of his tenure, Sultan was reminded of this issue. Although he defended the decision repeatedly, the former BFF boss had to admit in the end that it was a 'failure' of his committee on humanity ground.
A number of the EC members said they have only heard it yesterday but there was no such discussion in their introductory meeting on Wednesday.
"If everyone has to resign, the decision has to be discussed and approved by the EC. I feel a few people are trying to test the new committee," said a member of the BFF.
Meanwhile, Salahuddin and senior vice-president Abdus Salam Murshedi yesterday went to see ailing former footballer Ching Hlang Maung Mari at the Square Hospital and handed over Tk 2 lakh for his treatment.
Sources said that former cricket board official Reazuddin Al Mamun also visited Mari and donated Tk 2.70 lakh.
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