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Abahani made history in Bangladesh football: Joy
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The whole
country knows him as a dashing midfielder. He is rated as a
complete football player. His name is Arif Khan Joy. Many call
him the Veron of Bangladesh. In 2005 he won the SAAF football
title playing for the national team. Under his leadership Dhaka
Abahani won the first title of B League (professional league).
Following is an interview with this football star.
Q: What is your feeling on winning the title of
professional league? |
Joy: Simply great. We worked very hard. So we were really the
deserving team.
Q: It is a long time since Abahani won the last trophy.
Joy: Yes, but we wanted to erase all failures of the past. I think we have been able to do that. I believe that Abahani will touch a new
landmark through this victory. Personally I dedicated this title to late footballer Monem Munna.
Q: How this professional league, arranged for the first time in the country, will influence Bangladeshi football?
Joy: Since this was the beginning year, the desired result was not achieved. Personally I am very disappointed for an arrangement like
this. The National League or Premiere League concepts were far better than this. The venues would have been packed if it were the National
League tournament. Comparing to that, we gained nothing. Even Federation Cup or DUMFA Cup could have drawn more attention of the
supporters.
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Q: Why does Bangladeshi football face this situation?
Joy: The concerned authority may give better answer to this
question.
Q: Now even in B League match between Abahani and Mohammedan
cannot draw enough public attention. Whereas, 8/10 years ago the
scenario was totally different.
Joy: As I have mentioned before, the starting was
not good enough. |
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At least this was not the way in which a tournament would gain
success. So you cannot expect a huge crowd in the field. The publicity
was a big issue which was not properly handled. I won’t say that
football has become more popular than the past. ‘Football has been
behind-‘that’s what I will say.
Q:
Would you consider Cricket a big reason for the present condition of
football?
Joy: Cricket is obviously a popular sport. They have improved a lot.
If you could do that our condition would have been better. We have to
spread football in the grass root level. Without organizing
tournaments on regular basis, football may suffer more. An arrangement
only in Dhaka is not enough. All the major tournaments are being
staged in Dhaka. But we will also have to think what is going on in
the rest of the country. We should move on like China and Japan in
Asia. Also we have to plan for our future stipulations. It requires a
long term planning by the Government.
Q: Keeping in mind the present condition of football, how much can we
anticipate?
Joy: Football is a very ‘close to heart’ game for the people of
Bangladesh. You can still see how many boys are playing this game in
the villages. Cricket might have flourished a lot; yet football still
owns its distinct place. That is why if we can change the
infrastructure of our football, this game will achieve a new dynamism.
With government patronization once again our football may revive to
its golden days. It is natural to dream like this.
Q: If scopes are there, will you return to the national team?
Joy: No. I don’t see any such possibility.
Q: Thanks for sharing your time with us.
Joy: My pleasure talking to you.
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