Bangladesh’s football has improved a lot in recent times according to FIFA president Gianni Infantino. He said that the team also has the potential to improve. The chief of the World’s Football Organization, FIFA, said this on short a one-day yesterday.
FIFA President Infantino arrived in Dhaka on Thursday. The 49-year-old reached Dhaka a little before 5 am and received by Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) President Kazi Salahuddin, Vice President Kazi Nabil Ahmed and FIFA council member Mahfuza Akter Kiron.
“It’s a pleasure to be in Bangladesh. This visit is very important for me. Bangladesh is the capital of world football right now and the reason is because the FIFA president is here. The Bangladesh football team’s performance has also been quite eye-catching," Infantino said to the media upon arrival. “We’ll talk about football and discuss the development of the game,” he added.
A press conference was organized atyesterday noon at a hotel organized by the Bangladesh Football Federation. FIFA president said, “There is a lot of potential for Bangladesh football in the future. But the big institutions of the country will have to come forward to take the game further.”
Infantino is also very happy with the progress of Bangladesh women’s football. He praised Mahfuza Akhter Kiran’s role in women’s football as she is the only representative of Bangladesh in FIFA.
Infantino, who left for Laos at 5 pm inthe evening met with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Despite his very short stay, he hoped to visit Bangladesh once more, stressing on the possibilities for football that exist here.
During his meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Infantino said he was happy with the progress made in Bangladesh football. He also advised Bangladesh Football Federation (BAFF) to keep in touch with FIFA. Infantino added that FIFA’s overall cooperation in the expansion of Bangladesh's football will continue.
This is the fourth visit of any FIFA president to Bangladesh. Joao Havalange came for the first time a FIFA President in 1980. Then Sepp Blatter came twice in 2006 and 2012.