Motijheel clubs in crisis
With state-owned BJMC already withdrawing its team from the upcoming Bangladesh Championship League (BCL) citing a financial crisis, other outfits based in Motijheel and Arambagh's Club Para, are facing similar problems in signing players in the ongoing transfer market.
The BFF opened the BCL transfer window on Feb 10 after getting the nod from all 14 participants except Team BJMC. However, four clubs based in Motijheel are struggling to manage funds after RAB raids closed down illegal casinos across the Club Para last year.
Dhaka Wanderers, Youngmen's Fakirerpool and Victoria SC are all set to play the BCL but have been closed since last September following their involvement with casinos. Wari Club, another participant, were not involved with illegal casinos but their indoor games of cards and housie remain closed since the raids.
Although some clubs were hesitant to take part in the BCL due to financial crisis, they wanted to repair the damage caused to their image. Now, they are struggling to manage funds ahead of the tournament in March.
"Everything happened in the past. We are ready to take part in BCL but are facing financial problems. We had run the club before through donations and earnings from indoor games, but this time we are trying to convince club members to raise the required funds," Wanderers executive member Kamal Hossain told The Daily Star yesterday.
"Our main problem is finding a space for players' accommodation because no houseowner wants to rent to 30 to 35 footballers," Hossain added. "We want to request the concerned authorities to open parts of clubs to accommodate players and help us reduce expenses."
Meanwhile, Wari Club have struggled to form a team.
"We are in deep trouble because we don't have any income. We are begging for money. Before, whatever we earned from housing, we gave away to players. But now we don't have any income," said general secretary Shamsul Alam Anu.
"We confirmed some players but we can't pay for the full contract. We appealed to the BFF to pay us Tk 10 lakh in advance to sign players. If I can't manage funds, I will resign," Anu said, urging the government to show them a way to run the club before the 122-year-old club is destroyed.
Victoria SC joint secretary AKM Nuruzzaman said that club members were trying to raise funds to form a football squad for the BCL.
"The club can't afford to form a squad. We are going to form mediocre squad for survival. Former footballers should also come forward and help clubs," said Zaman.
All clubs except Fakirerpool have collected transfer forms from the BFF, lending strength to rumours that they may also pull out of the league.
"BCL activities have not started yet and I am ill. The doctor advised complete bedrest. After recovering, I will talk to you," Fakirerpool general secretary Sabbir Hossain told The Daily Star through SMS.
Comments