Table tennis players versus Monir
Bangladesh’s top table tennis players yesterday demanded immediate resignation of Bangladesh Table Tennis Federation’s (BTTF) vice-president Khandokar Hasan Monir, bringing a few allegations against the official.
The players including three former champions – Manosh Chowdhury, Mahbub Billah and Javed Ahmed under the banner of Bangladesh Table Tennis Players’ Association (BTTPA), yesterday gathered at the Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Indoor Stadium to press home their demand, alleging that Monir has become all-in-all at the federation and that he is driving a wedge among the players.
“Khandokar Hasan Monir is destroying table tennis by dividing and creating conflicts among players with false statements and he is doing it to strengthen his own position,” said BTTPA president and five-time national champion Manosh. “Mr Monir was once good to the players but he has gradually become a dictator and he is pulling the strings as the current general secretary is not too active in the federation.”
“Every discipline of SA Games have already started their preparation camp but table tennis is yet to start training due to Monir. We are in doubt whether we can retain the bronze medals in the SA Games,” said six-time national champion Mahbub Billah, adding that Monir also influences national team selection.
Imran Hasan Ridoy, a young player, alleged that he had to pay Tk 32,000 for the dresses of the national team ahead of Bangladesh’s tour to Hungary for World Table Tennis Championship so that he could avail his first opportunity to represent Bangladesh.
Other players alleged that the BTTF vice-president has used his influence to rope in unqualified coaches for the national team.
Monir, however, categorically denied the allegations, saying that he has turned from good to bad in the eyes of these players just because he cannot look after the interest of the players at the moment since he is no more the general secretary.
“I was a good organiser to them a few months ago. So how have I become bad to them in just three to four months?” Monir questioned.
“The fact is I can’t take care of these players violating rules. According to Bangladesh Olympic Association directives, all the players must stay in the SA Games camp but Manosh can’t stay in the camp while Mahbub Billah went against me because I forced him to leave the dormitory.”
The BTTF vice-president claimed that the SA Games camp will start from September 15 as there will be some renovation work at the dormitory.