Swadhin Bangla Football team seeks govt recognition

Team manager Tanna recalls great sacrifice of the footballers

Swadhin Bangla Football team strongly appealed for recognition of the government for their great contribution during the Liberation War in 1971. Manager of the team Tanveer Mazharul Islam Tanna stated this in a reception ceremony yesterday at the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Bhaban.

BFF organized the reception to the Swadhin Bangla Football Team yesterday when some of the team’s players and manager recalled their memory of those days when they played in different states to collect fund and supports of Indian people and government for the freedom fighters.

Tanveer Mazhar Tanna, the manager of the team in his address said, “We joined in the Liberation War comply with the ‘The Great Race Course Maidan  (now Suhrwardy Uddyan) address’ by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.”

“We organised a football team contribute during the liberation war in different way when we played football matches in different states of India to collect fund for the freedom fighters and obtain the supports of Indian people as well the government for our independence.”

“I remember, when we played a match in Mumbai, prominent personality Nawab Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi played with us, famous film actor Dilip Kumar was also present.”  

Some of our football players were also sacrificed their lives straight in the war when Miraz, Jahir and some others died in the ‘war field’, alas! it has been 47 years going on the Swadhin Bangla Football Team yet to get any recognition from the Bangladesh government, I don’t know why.”

“There is no any example in the world history that players joined in the liberation war, sacrificing their lives for the independence, some of our colleagues died, some of them are severely ill. It is my appeal through you (media) that the players of the Swadhin Bangla football team should have got recognition on behalf of the government,” Tanna humbly urged the government.

Saidur Rahman Patel, the leading organiser of the Swadhin Bangla team also recollected his memories of those days how they organised the team and when he explained all about their activities also said that some quarters are trying to spread out propaganda which is very miserable.

Patel said, “We called the footballers to join us in India to organise the Swadhin Bangla Football team players from different parts of the country, we played our first match in Krishnaagar, Nodia District.”

“It was also a history before the match when the DC of Nodia district did not permit us to raise up our national flag, finally after an interference of high ups of India government we hoisted our flag and then played the match,” said Patel.

Kazi Mohammed Salahuddin, president of the BFF and the SAFF, who was also one of the members of the Swadhin Bangla Football Team said, “It’s the month of victory, having the opportunity to honour the players, who had great contribution in this month for the liberation war. I feel proud.”

Swadhin Bangla Football team seeks govt recognition

Team manager Tanna recalls great sacrifice of the footballers

Swadhin Bangla Football team strongly appealed for recognition of the government for their great contribution during the Liberation War in 1971. Manager of the team Tanveer Mazharul Islam Tanna stated this in a reception ceremony yesterday at the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Bhaban. BFF organized the reception to the Swadhin Bangla Football Team yesterday when some of the teams players and manager recalled their memory of those days when they played in different states to collect fund and supports of Indian people and government for the freedom fighters. Tanveer Mazhar Tanna, the manager of the team in his address said, We joined in the Liberation War comply with the The Great Race Course Maidan (now Suhrwardy Uddyan) address by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. We organised a football team contribute during the liberation war in different way when we played football matches in different states of India to collect fund for the freedom fighters and obtain the supports of Indian people as well the government for our independence. I remember, when we played a match in Mumbai, prominent personality Nawab Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi played with us, famous film actor Dilip Kumar was also present. Some of our football players were also sacrificed their lives straight in the war when Miraz, Jahir and some others died in the war field, alas! it has been 47 years going on the Swadhin Bangla Football Team yet to get any recognition from the Bangladesh government, I dont know why. There is no any example in the world history that players joined in the liberation war, sacrificing their lives for the independence, some of our colleagues died, some of them are severely ill. It is my appeal through you (media) that the players of the Swadhin Bangla football team should have got recognition on behalf of the government, Tanna humbly urged the government. Saidur Rahman Patel, the leading organiser of the Swadhin Bangla team also recollected his memories of those days how they organised the team and when he explained all about their activities also said that some quarters are trying to spread out propaganda which is very miserable. Patel said, We called the footballers to join us in India to organise the Swadhin Bangla Football team players from different parts of the country, we played our first match in Krishnaagar, Nodia District. It was also a history before the match when the DC of Nodia district did not permit us to raise up our national flag, finally after an interference of high ups of India government we hoisted our flag and then played the match, said Patel. Kazi Mohammed Salahuddin, president of the BFF and the SAFF, who was also one of the members of the Swadhin Bangla Football Team said, Its the month of victory, having the opportunity to honour the players, who had great contribution in this month for the liberation war. I feel proud.