The two veterans of country’s hockey arena Abdus Sadeque and Shamsul Bari remained as the center point of the Bangladesh Hockey Federation election ahead of the submission of the nomination forms today.
Shamsul Bari, who served as the general secretary of the hockey federation for 19 years before quitting the chair in 2007, found himself in the middle of the tug of war. Both the panels led by Khwaja Rahmatullah and by Sajed Adel and Shafiullah al Munir wanted him as one of the five vice-chairman.
Bari was in a limbo to decide his fate as most of his colleagues remained loyal to Rahmatullah’s panel when he had extended his support to Sajed and Munir. Both the parties were requesting Bari to sign the form on behalf of them, leaving him confused. “Yes, I admit that many of my former colleagues belong to Rahmat’s panel and they have assured me one of the vice-president’s post, but I have been involved with Sajed-Munir’s panel and I am not in a position to change the attachment,” revealed Bari. But it was learnt that Bari was still to sign his nomination form and was undecided about his stance.
Rahmatullah showing all the respect to Shamsul Bari said they will welcome Bari to their panel, but also cautioned that if he chooses to stay out he will not enjoy any sympathies from them.
Meanwhile, hockey legend Abdus Sadeque, who was always reluctant to take part in the election process, said he has decided to run for the post of the vice-president. “Yes, I earlier said that I would not take part in the election process, but the circumstances have forced me to take part in it. The peer pressure and the surroundings had prompted me to take part in the election though I tried for unanimous panel and sat with both the parties on a number of occasions,” said Sadeque.
Rahmatullah’s panel is all set to nominate Sadeque, Sabbir Yusuf, Mirza Farid Ahmed Milu as their vice-presidents and if Bari opts to join, he will take the fourth spot while the other slot will be given to the nominated name from the ‘Forum’ or the divisional and district level organisers. Three former national players Mamunur Rashid, Rafikul Islam Kamal and
Mahbub Ehsan Rana will be the members while Anvir Adel Khan Babu and Yusuf Ali are set to become the joint secretaries.
On the other end of the road, Sajed received a big blow as Khandokar Jamiluddin decided not run in the polls. “I am not taking part in the polls as I have always said that I want a level playing field. NSC has not changed their councilors, so as per my earlier declaration I am not taking part in the elections,” said Jamil.
Sajed, however, said they have formed their panel and will submit it accordingly.
Thursday, June 04, 2026
