Malaysian club Terengganu FC accused the organizer of Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup 2019 for not handing over the prize money in nine months, leaving the country’s reputation in footballing globe in dire straits.
Terengganu, who finished the meet as unbeaten champions at the port city in October, approached Football Association of Malaysia (MFA) after failing to receive their winnings of USD 50,000 despite “numerous communication” had been made between the club and the organizers.
Malaysia’s football governing body wrote a letter to Bangladesh Football Federation, dated July 15, requesting the assistance of BFF to intervene and render assistance to Terengganu to settle the issue as soon as possible.
Chattogram Abahani Limited, along with the BFF, has been organizing the only international club cup tournament of the country since 2015, named after the eldest son of Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
A statement from a BFF official said that they had already started the procedures to send money to the Malaysian club one and half month ago.
After receiving letter from Chattogram Abahani on June 2, BFF wrote to National Sports Council (NSC) the next day. The letter travelled to Sports Ministry on June 23 and then to Finance Ministry on June 30 for approval, before Chattogram Abahani deposited the money and applied to Bangladesh Bank for remittance in the first week of this month.
Tarafder Ruhul Amin , the director of Chattogram Abahani and chief coordinator of the competition, held responsible for the delayed transfer of the prize money as well as starting the procedures. He however could not be reached over phone despite repeated attempts.
An official of the BFF informed that they are now waiting for the clearance from Bangladesh Bank to transfer the money abroad.
The inaugural edition of the Club Cup took place in 2015 where the hosts Chattogram Abahani emerged champions before TC Sports Club of Maldives lifted the second edition in 2017. Terengganu beat the hosts 2-1 in the final of 2019 edition at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chattogram on October 31.
