MARUFUL'S landmark feat

Veteran football coach Maruful Haque yesterday returned to the country after earning the UEFA A License coaching certificate from England. The 43-year-old coach, who went to the National Football Centre of England in Burton upon Trent on October 25 to complete the final phase of the course, became the first Bangladeshi tactician to earn the second-most prestigious football coaching certificate after the UEFA Pro License.

“I have spent a lot of time and money for this certificate over the last three years and I feel very happy to have completed the course in one try,” Maruful told The Daily Star last night.

Maruful, who won numerous titles at home including a treble with Sheikh Russel in the 2013-14 season, said he was looking forward to work in Bangladesh in the next season before looking to ply his trade in other parts of the world.

“It is every coach's dream to be coaching in higher leagues around the world. But I want to spend another season here before moving elsewhere,” said Maruful.

The journeyman coach, who guided Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club to the prestigious King's Cup in Bhutan last year, said his ultimate target is the UEFA Pro License.

“UEFA Pro is the target even though earning that requires a lot of monetary expenditure as well as time and effort. Hopefully I will go for that one day,” said the coach who guided Sheikh Russel to a second-place finish in the Bangladesh Premier League last season.