BJF investigation proceeds at snail’s pace

The National Sports Council (NSC) have apparently made progress at a snail’s pace in their investigation of the financial irregularities found in the Bangladesh Judo Federation (BJF). BJF president, Brigadier General (Rtd) SK Abu Baker, brought allegations of fund embezzlement against general secretary AKM Selim around four months ago.

Baker had filed a complaint on the matter to NSC secretary Masud Karim on June 25, requesting him to investigate the possible BJF fund embezzlement and take action against those concerned.

“Without my consent or approval, the BJF general secretary withdrew money from the federation account and used it illegally. That’s why there is a great possibility that money was embezzled. Besides, the secretary seems to have no accountability,” the letter read. “It is necessary to see how much money was debited and credited.  I request you to take action against the offenders after auditing the BJF account by the auditor of CAG.”

Baker also wrote that he would not operate the account and will not take responsibility if money gets embezzled.

After receiving the complaint, the NSC formed a one-member probe committee with director (admin) ABM Nasirul Alam taking up the charge. However, Alam’s investigation is still ongoing and sought another two to three weeks to complete his report.

“I can’t make any comments on it because I still need to investigate some things. I need another two to three weeks to complete the investigation,” Alam told The Daily Star yesterday, adding that his investigation has gone on for the last two or three months.

It was also learnt that Alam had questioned both the BJF president and BJF general secretary on the matter about one-and-a-half months ago but he has yet to submit a report on it for unknown reasons.

NSC secretary Masud Karim said that he cannot make any moves until the independent probe committee submits its report.

“It is not financial irregularities, rather it is corruption and that is unfortunate for the country,” BJF president Baker told The Daily Star yesterday. “I requested the minister [state minister for youth and sports] to disband the committee and form an ad-hoc committee but I don’t know what they are doing.”

AKM Selim has staunchly denied all the allegations made against him and insists that the BJF president has an ulterior motive behind his actions. He also said that he would accept any punishment handed to him if the allegations are proven true.

“I have been doing everything by the constitution and the enquiry committee went through the account. Besides, we have completed the audit of the account by an external audit firm. There is no evidence of fund embezzlement,” Selim told The Daily Star.

“Actually he is doing this for another reason. He doesn’t want to accept the members of the elected committee and their decisions. Sometimes he imposed his own decisions by bypassing the executive committee’s decision. He rules like a dictator and uses abusive words on us,” alleged Selim, who was elected general secretary in March, 2016 with his committee’s tenure set to expire in March, 2020.

“The NSC can do whatever they think will benefit the greater interest of Judo but I am ready to accept action if the allegations are proven,” continued Selim.

On the ground of anonymity, an official on the BJF executive committee said that the conflict between the president and the general secretary began during the congress of the Judo Union of Asia (JUA) in April earlier this year. Apparently, Selim himself wanted to be member of the JUA but the president instead proposed Kamrunnahar Hiru, who was eventually elected as the Bangladesh representative.

The official also said that Selim had withdrawn about Tk 9 lakh for use on foreign tours and then a further Tk 8.5 lakh for judo mats without approval, claiming that Selim had violated the federation’s norms. He further alleged that Selim kept the Tk 8.5 lakh for four months before clearing the duty of judo mat.

The supposed friction between the president and general secretary has put the federation in jeopardy as there have been no initiatives taken in regards to organising domestic competitions or participating in international tournaments for the last four months. However, preparations for the South Asian Games are ongoing under the supervision of the Bangladesh Olympic Association.

The BJF is the fifth national organisation after the wushu, football, squash and tennis federations to have had allegations of financial irregularities brought against them by their own office bearers.