Professionalism will take football to new heights: S A Sultan

There is no pioneer, third, second or first division football any more on the field. District level football has almost dried out. No training plan or preparation is there for building up the next generation footballers. A football academy still remains a dream. This sport also lacks money and sponsorship. With the initiation of professional football, nothing seems to be so bright for the future.

Owning so many negative sings, president of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) S A Sultan believes Bangladeshi football may once again revive its golden age by following the prescription, envisioned by Vision Asia. Just after his takeover as BFF chief, Bangladesh won the SAFF Football Championship; but at the same time lost the SA Games title. No election has taken place after FIFA withdrew its suspension order on Bangladesh. Rather FIFA has extended the period of the previous committee for one year.

FIFA has given an election roadmap. Critics claim that the existing BFF committee has given FIFA a wrong picture and thus earned an extention. But the president is not ready to accept this charge. In this connection he said, "During the last four years, we have set April 3rd, May 9 and May 23 dates for new election. We are not responsible for the postponement. Nor did we play any role behind FIFA’s extension order. We did not do any lobbing using the back door. Yet, the federation is happy with the decision FIFA has made. It is solely FIFA’s jurisdiction whether to consent or reject a committee. We only execute their order."

"Has FIFA designed any election roadmap?" in answer to this question, S A sultan said, "We have placed the matter to the government. We need government’s cooperation if we have to follow FIFA’s roadmap. Government has not yet responded in this matter. Rather we are listening many misleading comments which are not correct.

You have been at the helm of Bangladesh football for more than four years. Yet the sky of country’s football is dark. Would you agree?

Sultan: Everything changes with the passage of time. The football atmosphere of 25-30 years ago will not match with the one that we have at present. Everywhere new changes are coming. Football is not beyond these changes. Vision Asia and Vision Bangladesh are four years’ programme. It is not possible overnight. Football is losing its popularity in Dhaka. But in small towns and in villages, this game still attracts many. And we have the proof during the national leagues and national level football matches. We have introduced professional football. Gradually professional management team will be running the federation. FIFA has fixed that the two key posts of general secretary and deputy general secretary will have to be professional posts. After being with football for quite sometime, I now feel how desperately we need professional management in running this federation.

You are blamed for ignoring the popular Dhaka football for staging the B League. B league flopped, it even failed to attract sponsors.

Sultan: You have to sacrifice some points if you want to do something big. We have started B league in immense obstacles. After a few seasons it will begin to bring results. We did not get any patron owing to country’s present situation. We won’t deny that.

Football had been the central attraction of Dhaka. The hype is almost dead now. What will you say?

Sultan: We have staged all the tournaments but not on regular basis. Vision Asia took time due to financial problem. The lack of administrative cooperation was another reason. But once Vision Bangladesh is materialised, the whole scenario will change.

What is mostly necessary in governing the federation?

Sultan: A competent leadership and some sincere steps are primary requisites. Professionalism and money are also must. Government support is required as well. Side by side we need the cooperation of the corporate houses. We need highly professional organizers, clubs, players, proper planning and sincerity.

Country's football boss frankly accepted the fact that Dhaka football and the city clubs have been affected by the effort of staging the professional league with limited finance. "But it is temporary. We have given our effort to establish our football on strong footing. Alongside this planning, the regular events of professional football will bring a new blend of popularity to this game. But the federation alone is not enough. We need the government, corporate houses and cooperation from all concerned behind us. Only then our football will reach new heights."