The Poton surprise

Save Football, the alliance opposing the incumbent panel of Bangladesh Football Federation in its upcoming elections, yesterday introduced Kamrul Ashraf Khan Poton, a member of parliament from the Narshingdi-2 constituency, as their nominee for the president's post.

The introduction was made by Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club president Manzur Kader, the leading figure of the opposition alliance, at his Gulshan office in the afternoon.

Poton, a businessman and chairman of the Bangladesh Fertilizer Association, didn't have any association with football in the past, was recently elected as the president of Narshingdi District Football Association.

Former national footballer and chairman of Sheikh Jamal DC's football committee, Ashrafuddin Ahmed Chunnu, said that they would announce the full panel under the leadership of Poton.

“He [Poton] will lead our panel in the BFF elections as the president candidate,” Chunnu said. “We have relied on renowned faces like Kazi Salahuddin in the past, but he has failed to improve the stature of the game. Now we have found Poton as someone fresh with the potential of creating a change in the country's football.”

Poton himself promised to develop the game if elected as the head of the game's governing body.

“Salahuddin Bhai was a legendary footballer but he failed to improve the status of the game,” Poton said. “I'm taking part in the election for the love of football. I have an aspiration to take Bangladesh football to a new height if I am elected as president. I want to work with everyone and hope to get everyone's support.”

Meanwhile, another nomination form for the president's post was bought by Nurul Islam Nuru, president of Tongi Krira Chakra.

The incumbent BFF president Kazi Salahuddin, however, didn't buy his nomination paper on the first day of distribution, but it is expected he would buy it today along with the other members of his panel.

A total of seven nomination papers were bought yesterday. Current vice-president Tabith Awal bought a nomination paper for the same post while former national footballer Saifur Rahman Moni, organiser Sabbir Hossain, Brothers Union coach Mahidur Rahman Meraj and former Rahmatganj MFS secretary Tipu Sultan bought forms for member posts.