Focus on grassroots: the only way out?

Bangladesh national men's football team, who continue to reside at the bottom of FIFA rankings, had once showcased consistent performances and achieved international success despite serious limitations. To add insult to injury, in terms of current rankings, the 24 teams below Bangladesh are not considered as serious footballing nations. 

When the country's struggle in the recent past alongside the dearth of quality players is factored in, does the appointment of another foreign coach allows room for optimism?

"Where Bangladesh football stands now, no coach in the world can get you results. That's because there is a huge crisis of players. Many don't understand this but want results," opined former national striker Alfaz Ahmed, who won silverware with the national team in the 1999 South Asian Games and the 2003 SAFF Championship.

"Currently the [established] players have no alternative, which was not the case during our time. There were at least three to four players in each position. Besides, we didn't get enough facilities," the 50-year-old added.

"I think there is no way but to focus on the district leagues to produce more players. Instead of spending crores behind the foreign coaches of the national team, the federation could offer [BDT] 50 lakh to 1 crore [prize] money for each competition, so that the clubs can be encouraged to maintain age-group teams by hunting talent from the district level," Alfaz concluded.