Abahani Limited and Mohammedan Sporting Club (MSC), two are the most popular and traditional clubs in the country. The officials of these two clubs usually have the dominance in the country’s top three federations –Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF).
For last few decades Abahani Limited had huge influence in the elections of all top federations, they played vital role in forming a panel, selection of candidates and their win or loss however, Mohammedan were under the shadow of Abahani on the field and off the field activities including in the election of sports arena.
However, this time the scenario have changed a bit ahead of the upcoming BFF election. Many of the former players and officials of Mohammedan will contest in the BFF pools while only Satyajit Das Rupu is only candidate from Abahani from.
Mohammedan arranged a program at their club on Tuesday evening regarding the BFF election. Aprt from two vice-president candidates, former star footballers Shafiqul Islam Manik, Syed Rumman bin Wali Sabbir and former players and as well as member the club, who also candidates - Manjurul Karim, Riaz, Zakir Hossain Chowdhury, Sayeed Hasan Kanan. vice-presidential candidate Fahad Karim and member candidate Amirul Islam Babu attended the program. Meanwhile, Sattayajit Das Ruppu also joined the program at Mohammedan Club.
Mohammedan's former footballer and coach Shafiqul Islam Manik said, “There is no separate room for the members to work in BFF. If we win the election, there will be a room for members and councilors.”
Syed Rumman bin Wali Sabbir, one of the legendary footballers in Bangladesh football said, “If I would be elected, I have a plan to organised the grassroots and District Football Leagues, School Football, Sher-e-Bangla Cup, Suhrawardy Cup. Premier League has been been taken to outside Dhaka. The number of teams of the Premier League should be at least 16 where 480 footballers will play, then it will be possible to bring our football ranking to below 150. I want your prayers and support.”
Satyajit Das Rupu, football manager of the Abahani Limited, the only exceptional among the guests, prayed for votes.
Rupu was impressed with the friendly atmosphere and the hospitality at the Mohammedans Club convey his thanks and said, “Thanks all on behalf of Abahani Club for such an arrangement by the Mohammedan Club.”
Bashundhara Kings president Imrul Hasan, who has already been elected unopposed as the senior vice-president, was also present in the occasion at Mohammedan.
He said, “I am a supporter of Mohammedan since by boyhood. Many have been talking about the quality of the national football team. I think Mohammedans have also to take some responsibilities. Mohammedan has to take some responsibility to bring football ahead,” Imrul said.
“An uncomfortable issue I have to mention here, ‘if someone here asks me to withdraw my name from the election, it would be very embarrassing for me. Mohammedan and BCB director Mahbub Anam, who joined the occasion arranged regarding the upcoming BFF election, said, “Football is the most popular game in the world. The development of football in the country is possible.
