I’m not responsible for district leagues, says Salahuddin
After being elected Bangladesh Football Federation president for a fourth successive term, Kazi Salahuddin promised to hold three national championships with the participation of all 64 districts but refused to take responsibility for holding district leagues.
"First, we want to start all the leagues on time and do not want to hear anything from any party. If we want to reach the next level, both the clubs and federation must have discipline in this regard," Salahuddin said at his office yesterday.
"The second thing is that the delegates spoke time and again about youth development and we will do it. We also want to hold three tournaments -- Bangabandhu senior home-and-away, Sheikh Kamal U-18 Championship and Sheikh Russel U-12 tournament -- with the participation of all districts. If we can hold these three tournaments at the district level, it will cover everything," said the 66-year-old, adding that he was not responsible for district football.
"District Football Associations (DFAs) are responsible for holding district leagues but you blame us. It is not my responsibility to hold district leagues. Why don't you ask the president of DFA about the district league? Holding the professional football league is a duty of the BFF, not FIFA. If the DFA can't hold their respective league, then I think three national championships at the district level will cover everything," said Salahuddin.
He added that he wanted to take measures to ensure DFAs would hold district league. "We want to make a formula similar to FIFA and AFC's. If a DFA can't hold two successive leagues, they will not be BFF delegates.
Salahuddin also said: "I have kept football rolling for the past 12 years when the play stopped. I am repeating it time and again because the teams will come if football is on the ground. Football will still remain on the ground with high spirit and more energy because it has turned into a habit."
Comments