2024-08-20 02:37:55
The state of football in the country is already in turmoil. On top of that, various complications have arisen in the upcoming 2024-25 season, including the change of teams in the Bangladesh Premier League. The country’s two top football clubs, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club and Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra, have further highlighted that complexity. It has already been reported in the media that these two clubs will not participate in the upcoming Premier League.
Fakirpool Young Men’s Club and Dhaka Wanderers Club are also rumored to be involved. A few days ago, Chittagong Abahani also removed themselves from the Premier League. As so many clubs do not want to participate in the league together, other footballers playing in the top league of the country are going to face problems along with the national footballers. Because the Premier League is the main source of livelihood for the players. If so many clubs do not participate at once, they will face severe financial losses.
Almost many footballers have signed contracts for the upcoming season with clubs that have already withdrawn from the league. Now, if those clubs do not participate in the league, the future of about 150 to 200 footballers will be uncertain! In this situation, the footballers have come under one roof to protect their existence.
On Saturday, they held a human chain program at Bafufe Bhavan to demand 7 points. Later also spoke to the media. The program does not end here. Tomorrow, August 18, Sunday, with a larger program will gather at Bauffe Bhavan. The former star footballers of the national team will also be present to show solidarity with them.
Ashraful Islam Rana, Shahidul Alam Sohail, Tauhidul Alam Sabuj, Rezaul Karim Reza, Imon Mahmud Babu, Habib Bipu, Raihan Hasan, Rahmat Mia, Shakeel Ahmed, Riyadul Hasan Rafi, Md. Naeem, Faisal, Omar Babu, Abu Saeed, Mehdi Royal, Mannaf Rabbi, Aminur Rahman Sajib, Monayem Khan Raju, Tutul, Minhaj Ballu, Nazim, Mithu, Monir, Sajjad, Rahim, Tasin, Rubel, Sujan, Pappu, Lal, Bablu. , Saheed, Eamon and a group of around 50 players who have played in the jerseys of various clubs in the national team and Premier League today handed over their 7-point demand letter to the Professional League Committee of BAFUF at BAFUF Bhawan.
As none of the league committee representatives were present in the building, the players handed over their demand letter to BAFUF general secretary Imran Hossain Tushar.
The 7-point demands given by the players are-
1. It must be ensured that the change of party is postponed immediately.
2. The participation of every team in the league must be ensured.
3. Daysara league cannot be run.
4. Who will take the responsibility of the confirmed players of the team that will not play?
5. This year the league will be run without foreign players.
6. Sponsors who have previously sponsored the club must arrange to sponsor the club again.
7. A meeting of all the players with the advisor of the Ministry of Youth and Sports is to be arranged by tomorrow.
Speaking to the media, national team and Abahani footballer Rezaul Karim Reza said, ‘We have gathered here to present some of our demands to the Football Federation. Suddenly, some clubs announced that they will not field teams this season. Due to this, the future of many of our footballers has fallen into uncertainty. Almost 100 running footballers are not getting any team. We want the Football Federation to try this. Talk to the teams and convince them to play. Besides, we want to sit with the current government’s Youth and Sports Advisor. I have informed the general secretary of Bafuf that we should be seated in the future.’
Reza also said, ‘I don’t have time now. Where will all these players suddenly go? We are willing to sacrifice if necessary. To be more frank, I am willing to play for less. Let’s play anyway. Let there be football on the field. Buffe should try to bring the clubs to the field. Talk to sponsors who are withdrawing. They should not go and come back for the sake of the country’s football. Bring them back and organize this league at a low cost.’
Defender Raihan Hasan, who played in the jersey of Chittagong Abahani in the national team and in the last league, said, ‘Day by day the number of teams in the Premier League is decreasing. 5 years ago the Premier League was held with 13 teams. After that every year the teams are less and less and 10 teams participate in the final league. Now if that number comes down to 6/7 how do we play it? We don’t want to participate in such a poor league. We want everyone to participate. Everyone should come forward to save football. Because we have no identity outside of being footballers. This is our bread and butter.’
In the press conference, BAFFE Representative General Secretary Imran Hossain Tushar said, ‘The time of transfer was till August 19. With the permission of FIFA, it has been extended by three more days, i.e. till August 22. I have heard the demands of the players. We will talk to the clubs and try to resolve this quickly. Apart from this, I will take arrangements to meet the honorable youth and sports advisor with the players.