BFF wants independent venue
Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) president Kazi Salahuddin yesterday claimed that the status of the Bangabandhu National Stadium as an international football venue is in danger and it is due only to BFF's relations with the FIFA and AFC that international matches are still being allowed to be staged there.
The BFF boss said this replying to a journalist's query regarding the haphazard state of the country's premier multisport venue, which will host two FIFA friendly matches between Bangladesh and Nepal next week.
"After getting elected recently, I and my committee decided that we would go to the Prime Minister and ask for a FIFA-compliance stadium," Salahuddin said.
"I have already talked about this with a few and we will take this step maybe within one month that we get a FIFA-compliance stadium. The (international stadium) of the stadium where we are playing now can be cancelled anytime. FIFA/AFC are allowing this on the basis of our relation," said the BFF boss.
The BFF boss's concern is very valid, whether or not there is a real threat from the world football governing body over its international status, as the sporting venue hosts a myriad of non-sporting establishments and activities round the year, posing security risk to players and spectators during matchdays.
It is quite unique that unlike other countries, most of the stadiums in our country are used for multiple purposes, accommodating business activities from small to large, attracting cross-section of people. High-profile international tournaments force authorities to keep the other establishments shut which leads them to financial losses while still not fully mitigating the security risks associated.
And then there is also the issue of continuous renovation at this aging stadium, which was built in the mid-'50s of the last century. The infrastructure has been renovated countless times at massive cost, yet facilities including capacity of floodlights and seating arrangement at galleries remain way below international standard not to mention the lack of washroom facilities.
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