Coaches and support staffs who were part of Bangabandhu Dhaka Division Premier Cricket League [DPL] 2019-20 season are concerned of their income as the season got suspended with growing concern of coronavirus in the country. Majority of the team officials working in the premier 50-over cricket tournament of the country does not have a contract with the Bangladesh Cricket Board.
With the country in lockdown and all form of sports being suspended, BCB came forward to provide support to the players and even for groundsmen financially. The board gave one-time monetary support to non-contracted cricketers as the tournament got postponed for an indefinite period.
Coaches and support staffs that do not have a contract with BCB are expecting some aid from the board during this desperate time with believe that they are also integral part of the system.
The 12 Dhaka Premier League clubs have around four to five team support staff each in shape of head coach, assistant coach, physio and trainer.
Former Bangladesh batsman, now a full time coach Aftab Ahmed said that postponement of the tournament has caused his team and himself financial loss. Head coach of Legends of Rupganj Aftab is one of the coaches outside of BCB pay structure.
“Obviously it's a big loss for us financially. We will be losing a complete season. This year's contract will be forwarded to next year if the season does not start at all. We are told that the teams and the players will be the same and everyone will have to play next year with this year’s contract,” Aftab explained.
Partex Sporting Club head coach Rezaul Haque emphasized on the fact that Dhaka League is the chief source of income for many but at the same time understands that the situation is beyond control.
“The decision to postpone the game was absolutely right. It would have been better if they had declared it even earlier. Now lives are at stake. However, it causes some financial loss also. Players are getting paid or the board is helping them, but the other coaches are in uncertanty. We are not under the board. Who knows how our financial side will work. Hope that the government or the board will look at us, the coaches” said Rezaul.
Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis member secretary Ali Hossain informed the non-contracted coaches have been asked to seek help from the board on the matter through BCB director Khaled Mahmud Sujon. Mahmud is also the head coach of Dhaka Premier League side Abahani Limited.
“I think Sujon [Mahmud] is already working on this. I have asked them [non contracted coaches and support staffs] to give an application to him and he will later take it to higher authorities,’’ Ali Hossain informed.
It is understood that the coaches have already prepared the letter that they will submit to the board while the non-contracted physios and trainers have submitted a letter to the board separately.
