The Bangladesh Baseball-Softball Association recently held a rally and sit-in to push for the implementation of their eight-point reform agenda aimed at addressing discrimination within the sport.
According to a press release, since its inception, the Association has been marred by various irregularities and corruption, operating under an unelected and ineffective ad-hoc committee that has violated numerous constitutional provisions.
In response to these issues, sports organisers, coaches, officials, and both former and current national team players marched from the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium to the National Sports Council, where they held a rally and sit-in. They proposed the following eight demands:
Immediate resignation of the president, general secretary, and all members, and the dissolution of the unelected and ineffective ad-hoc committee. Formation of a new effective ad-hoc committee. Inclusion of former players, women, and experienced active organisers in the new committee. Allocation of Paltan Ground in Dhaka or an alternative designated ground for the training of the national men's and women's teams. Organisation of at least four national championships, one major league, a college league, and a youth tournament for baseball and softball each year. Provision of high-quality training for local coaches and umpires annually. Formation of professional men's and women's national baseball and softball teams. Transformation of the Bangladesh Baseball-Softball Association into the Bangladesh Baseball-Softball Federation.
On Thursday, a protest march and sit-in were held from the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium to the National Sports Council to press for the implementation of these demands. The event saw the participation of sports organisers, coaches, and both former and current national team players.
Talha Zubair, the coach of the national baseball team, highlighted that baseball and softball are popular international sports included in the Olympics. Many players have been training diligently for years with high hopes and aspirations. However, due to the corrupt and power-hungry officials of the Association, these players are being deprived of various opportunities, casting a shadow over their future.
Since its inception, the Association has been operating with numerous irregularities, violating its constitution and policies. The executive committee has been monopolised by a family-like structure, keeping the sport's promotion and development at bay and avoiding accountability for the past 18 years.
Talha further stated that nearly 200 players have been neglected and deprived of their aspirations for the development of baseball. The corrupt officials of the Association have no right to toy with the players' future and emotions. He urged the National Sports Council to investigate the allegations against the Association and implement the eight-point demands.
Former national player and captain of Mugda Baseball Club, Mohasin, mentioned that since the inception of baseball, three clubs have been involved. However, in 2015, when allegations of irregularities were raised against General Secretary Aminul Islam Liton, he expelled all the players. Liton frequently threatens players with expulsion. Mohasin called on the National Sports Council to dissolve the corrupt and incompetent ad-hoc committee and form a new committee to provide training opportunities for the players. He also demanded that Liton be held accountable for ruining the future of hundreds of players over the years.
During the event, Ila Sarkar, the captain of the women's baseball team in Dhaka, highlighted the discrimination faced by the women's team and called for the formation of a national women's baseball team.
