BFF polls get real flavour
Salahuddin, Kader lead rival panels
Sports Reporter
The election of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) got the real flavour when two full panels and some independent candidates bought nomination papers on the last day of buying nomination papers yesterday.
The two panels led by incumbent president Kazi Mohammad Salahuddin and Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club president Manzur Kader bought nomination papers for most of the posts for 21-member executive committee.
Apart from Salahuddin, three other councilors bought nomination papers for the president post. Golam Rabbani Helal, a former teammate and close associate of Salahuddin, collected his nomination paper yesterday. Kamrul Ashraf Puton, MP, from Narsingdi and Nurul Islam Nuru, a councilor of Tangail bought nomination papers on Saturday to contest for the president post of the BFF.
The other councilors who sought nomination for different posts from Salahuddin panel are: Abdus Salam Murshedi- senior vice-president, vice-presidents - Badal Roy, Kazi Nabil, Shamsul Haque Chowdhury, Mahiuddin Mohi members: Abdur Rahim, Harunur Rashid, Showkat Ali Khan Jahangir, Satyajit Das Rupu, Ilias Hosaain , Amirul Islam Babu, Mohiuddin Selim (Sylhet), Fazlur Rahman Babul, Alamgir Alo, Saleh Zaman Selim, Azmal Ahmed Tapan (Khulna), Arif Hossain Moon (Rangpur), Amit Khan Shuvro and Tawfiqul Islam Tofa (Rajshahi).
Kamrul Ashraf Puton will file nomination paper for president post from Manzur Quader panel. Senior vice-president- Manzur Quader, vice president: Dewan Shafiul Arefin Tutul, Lokman Hossain Bhuiyan, Nazib Ahmed and Ashrafuddin Chunnu. Members are- Sheikh Mohammed Aslam, Abdul Gaffar, Nawsheruzzaman, Abul Hassan Prince, Quamrunnesa Dana, Rummon Bin Waly Sabbir and Kaiser Hamid.
Kazi Mohammed Salahuddin, who had no opposition in the previous election but this time three others are contesting against him, said, Its a democracy, in democratic country everybody has freedom and right to contest in election.
It is good sign for football people are coming in football. We are four candidates contesting for the post of president, its freedom, councilors or voters will decide who will be elected.
Of course, if I would have no confidence I will not contest, said Salahuddin.
Golam Rabbani Helal, who was one of the influential members in committee of Salahuddin led executive body of BFF in their first tenure in 2008-12 and created a huge controversy after skipping out from the committee.
This time himself will contest for the post of president of the BFF.
Helal while talking to the reporters after buying the nomination paper said, I have no panel, I am lone candidate.
Replying to a query, Helal demanded himself a better candidate than Salahuddin and others, Obviously I think fit for this post as I have experience as an organizer, I think I will do something for the development of countrys football.
Claiming Salahuddin not as a successful president Helal said, In the last eight years they (BFF) could not produce any players. Players should pick up from the district level but the previous committee was failed to do this.
Helal said, There is no option but to produce players for the development of football, I am capable and will do it.
No there is no reason to withdraw the nomination paper, Helal replied to a another query.
