Confusion persists as BFF polls loom
The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) elections in 2016 was full of excitement, speculation, allegations and anticipation of results as two strong panels competed for primacy. Four years later, most of those elements are absent, apart from some enthusiasm from football fans who launched social media campaigns to bring about a change in leadership and revive the country's football.
The previous three elections were fought fiercely between two panels, each backed by influential organisers, but this time around talk of a big spark was seemingly extinguished even before it was lit when District and Divisional Football Association Secretary General Tarafder Mohammad Ruhul Amin pulled out of the election.
Incumbent president Kazi Salahuddin has formed a full panel, keeping most of his executive committee members while the opposition panel could not even choose a presidential candidate. There are two independent presidential candidates -- former footballers Shafiqul Islam Manik and Badal Roy, who has announced his withdrawal from the elections after the deadline, and is so legally still a candidate.
This has created confusion among the councillors as to the exact line-up of presidential candidates even as the October 3 polls are fast approaching.
Are fans' demands for change on social media having any impact on the 139 delegates who are key to electing a BFF committee? What are the delegates thinking about the upcoming elections and how will they explain allegations that most delegates are sold to the candidates at a handsome price and thus lower division and district football have been overlooked years after year?
"To tell you the truth, the current committee did not communicate with us and there was no football in the district in the last 12 years. We believe there is a need to change but I don't see much possibility because there are no strong [opposing] candidates. We are still in the dark about the candidates and anything can happen as there are still some days left to hold polls," said Rajshahi Divisional FA President and BFF delegate Mahfuzul Alam Loton.
"You know a nasty play is being made and it involves money, and it is true that the sale of votes happened before but I am not involved in such things," said former footballer Loton, who has been a BFF delegate for the last 12 years.
Barishal Divisional FA president and BFF delegate Asaduzzaman Khasru said, "The candidates are calling me for votes but I want to choose those who will keep continuing district football and lower divisions as well as revive old tournaments.
"The change of leadership has been discussed for a long time and it happens when there are right candidates competing; the picture of the BFF election is still not clear to us," said Khasru. "The money game should be stopped [in BFF polls]; there have been transactions before. I think it will continue. The fact is that the councillors are not going to candidates; instead the candidates are coming to the councillors."
"I want to cast my votes for those who are involved with sports. I believe the country's football would have gone forward if district football got the attention," said Agrani Bank SC general secretary AM Abid Hossain. "I can't make any comment on the movement for change but I want to be positive.
"I have no idea about money changing hands for BFF votes because I am a first-time voter. One thing I can say is that many things happen when you are allowed to contest freely."
"We are observing the movement of change across the country and we are not beyond the general people. Everyone in this current committee is not incompetent but some members need to be changed," said Basabo Tarun Sangha Football Committee chairman Munjer Rahman, also a first-time delegate who says he has no idea about the sale of votes.
East End Club's life-time member and BFF delegate TM Mamun Kaiser said, "We also want the change but you don't get what you want. But we believe some changes will occur like the previous time and some changes won't come. You need some quality people and I think every councillor will choose the right person because this election is not similar the previous one. It had been seen before that the votes were sold but this time it will not happen and the councillors feel the need for change."
"Every member of the committee has to take responsibility of failure because Salahuddin bhai made different subcommittees to improve football. Salahuddin bhai is the best in communicating at international and domestic level and there is no one [else] suitable for this position," said Kawran Bazar Pragati Sangha joint secretary and BFF delegate Mosharraf Hossain, predicting that the Salahuddin panel may lose two to three posts in the elections.
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