In light of recent rebellious activities of players, Bangladesh Hockey Federation has decided to introduce a “Code of Conduct” for those who will attend the upcoming national camp.
The national hockey players have decided to indefinitely boycott all tournaments and leagues under the present committee of Bangladesh Hockey Federation until the federation accedes to their demands.
The demands include a written guarantee of players' inter-club transfer formalities on schedule (July 2-4); clubs not to be allowed to form its team only with BKSP players and reduction of foreign players quota to three.
The demands elicited a sharp reaction from the federation and club officials since the transfer date had been decided at a meeting of all top club officials and presided over by federation’s president, Air Marshal Enamul Bari.
Khawaja Rahmatullah, the general secretary of the federation, was shocked with the development. “The date was finalised with the consent of the all the top club officials and the players should respect the decision of the club officials as they will form the team. The other point is, what’s the use of my written guarantee that the league will start from June 2? I may not be the general secretary then and the reduction of the foreigners can be decided in the league committee,” Rahmat said.
Khawaja Rahmatullah said the players did not understand that they are damaging their own game. “We are looking for sponsors for the national team and we already have the foreign coaches and national team camp sponsors. At such a time, these kinds of attacks are not helping the cause. If we don’t get the national team sponsor, who suffers at last?” asked Rahmat.
The general secretary said the national team players must abide by a code of conduct like other games. “They have a code of conduct in cricket, football - why should it not be implemented in hockey? It’s a worldwide accepted custom,” opined Rahmat. He was hopeful that the national players will return to competition before the Asia Cup Hockey next August.
Meanwhile, it was revealed that almost all the clubs, including the reigning champions Dhaka Mohammedan and Abahani, have sent letters to the authority of BKSP, asking to use its players for the upcoming season. Earlier, a section of the players’ welfare association had protested against using BKSP players, but the latest development suggests that without BKSP players, it will not be possible to form teams.
The federation will sit on June 1 to resolve the turmoil.
Thursday, April 25, 2024
