The new domestic football season has started from yesterday. Federation Cup champion Bashundhara Kings defeated league champion Mohammedan to retain the Challenge Cup title. However, the Shaheed Dhirendranath Dutta Stadium in Comilla is the talk of the town in football. While talking to reporters after the Bangladesh-China friendly match today, BFF President Tabith Awal had to face questions about the issue of the ground tomorrow.
BFF President Tabith Awal said on the ground issue yesterday, ‘We have changed the league schedule twice. Of course we have mistakes, there is no way to deny it. What we have done before is to try to solve it quickly. I hope our league committee will solve the problem soon this time too.’
Although the BFF president took responsibility, in reality the stadiums in Bangladesh are under the National Sports Council. Without the permission of the National Sports Council-local sports organization, there is no opportunity for BFF or football clubs to organize matches. After various negotiations, Mohammedan Comilla got the venue on September 14. Even though it was received just four days ago, it did not do any necessary work. Although Mohammedan Club bears the majority of the responsibility as the organizer of the match, the BFF league committee, as the main football organization of the country, cannot avoid responsibility for organizing the game at such a ground.
The Bangladesh Football Federation is working with the government to resolve the ground and stadium crisis. The National Sports Council has allocated several stadiums to the Bangladesh Football Federation for 25 years. The Bangladesh Football Federation President has pledged to get FIFA recognition if the Bangladesh Football Federation officially receives the stadiums from the government.
He said, “I never talk in advance. We have entered into final discussions with the government about six stadiums. If the Bangladesh Football Federation takes over the six stadiums, the Bangladesh Football Federation will work to transform them into fully FIFA certified stadiums. Sometimes there are errors in the details, and nothing can be said until we receive the handover. Our goal is to develop the stadiums under the Bangladesh Football Federation. The incomplete work under the FIFA Forward Program should be completed by November.”
FAQ
What did BFF President Tabith Awal admit about the stadium issue?
He admitted that there were mistakes in handling the league schedule and stadium readiness but promised quick action to resolve them.
Who is responsible for stadium management in Bangladesh?
The National Sports Council manages stadiums, but clubs and BFF must coordinate with them to organize matches.
Which stadium was recently criticized?
The Shaheed Dhirendranath Dutta Stadium in Comilla came under criticism after hosting matches in poor conditions.
What steps is BFF taking to solve the crisis?
BFF is working with the government to take over six stadiums and develop them into FIFA-certified venues.
