Bangladesh Football Federation president Kazi Salahuddin, in an emotionally charged statement, urged the national footballers to step up for the sake of the country’s football.
Salahuddin was addressing the national Under-23 football team in the presence of the Dutch national coaches, Lodewijk de Kruif and Rene Koster, at the BFF House yesterday. The U-23 side will take part in the 17th Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea next month. “I am here not to give any good news to you. Football is going through a crucial time. We have tried hard for the last six years to keep the league rolling and it is you, the players, who have benefited. You have received payments for appearing in the field for your respective clubs. Now you have to perform for the success of football. You people can turn the scenario around,” said Salahuddin.
The BFF boss though was realistic with his appeal. “I just want you to be more responsible. Now it is time to draw the attention of the government and the people. You are the ambassadors of the country. You have to bring success. I am not asking you to bring the sun or the moon. I am asking for performances that are filled with commitment, 100 percent commitment which reflects your ability,” he said.
In the middle of his emotional speech, Salahuddin presented two instances that spoke volumes of his character. “I see that national captain Mamunul Islam is absent here. His uncle passed away two days ago. With all the sympathy towards him I want to say I wanted to see him here. That would be the commitment. I want to say I put my father in the grave in the afternoon but in the late afternoon, I was in the practice field, that was back in 1994,” he added.
“The other instance was when I was shocked to hear that some of the national footballers declined to receive Tk5000 as pocket money before the team’s departure to Nepal for the SAFF Championship. Yes, the federation promised Tk10,000 but due to some constraints we said the rest of the money will be handed over after reaching Nepal. I predicted that the team will not succeed. I was proven right because this is not team spirit,” said Salahuddin.
The BFF supremo said the players should realise how the federation operates. “The donation we receive from Fifa is not even enough to pay the two good coaches who are sitting beside me. Before the SAFF Championship, the federation tried everything, foreign tours and others. With limited resources it was a big task but we did not get the expected result. My sincere appeal to you is if you feel you are unable to give your hundred percent then quit the national team. You are free to do it because the national duty requires commitment and passion,” opined Salahuddin.
Salahuddin urged the players to work hard in order to cement their places. “If you do not work hard, you will be lost. The football will be in demise. You work hard for ten years and the fortunes will turn around,” concluded Salahuddin.
