Legendary Salahuddin's 'bittersweet' football

Kazi Md. Salahuddin excelled in both football and cricket. At a time when football attracted massive crowds and generated considerable excitement, he chose to pursue football over cricket.

2. Despite a career full of memorable moments, Salahuddin, a legendary figure in the country's football history, regards his retirement as the pinnacle of his career. On October 19, 1984, in a match wearing Abahani's jersey against their arch-rivals Mohammedan, approximately 50,000 spectators filled the stadium and its surroundings. During his farewell, he was met with an outpouring of affection from fans of both clubs.

3. With Kazi Md. Salahuddin's 16-year presidency of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BAFFE) coming to an end, there has been a unified call for his resignation. This demand has emerged from various political organizations, supporters' groups, former footballers, and other individuals, particularly in light of the recent changes in state leadership.

4. The connection between the large gatherings surrounding Kazi Md. Salahuddin’s presidency and his earlier football career is notable. Aminul Haque, a leader from the PNP who led protests demanding Salahuddin’s resignation, once marched with his teammates in front of the BFF (Bangladesh Football Federation) building to advocate for a regular league during his playing days. This pressure significantly impacted the football authorities of the time. Similarly, Salahuddin's tenure as president was also marked by significant public attention.

There are striking parallels in Salahuddin’s career. When he was first elected BFF president in 2008, the country was in political turmoil. Now, as his 16-year term ends, political unrest persists. Despite many similarities in his storied career, the distinction between Salahuddin the footballer and Salahuddin the BFF president is stark. As a player, he was a beloved icon and a hero to fans. However, his administrative role did not reflect the same level of admiration. His tenure as president was marred by controversy and failures, such as the ill-fated announcement about the 2022 World Cup vision and frequent media disputes.

Several factors contributed to his struggles as an administrator. One major issue was his over-reliance on various individuals, which led to a corrupt environment within the organization. Notably, expelled General Secretary Abu Naeem Sohag exploited this dependence to build a corrupt empire. Other collaborators included former Chief Finance Officer Abu Hossain, Finance Officer Anupam Hossain, and Manager of Operations Mizanur Rahman.

Salahuddin’s efforts to advance football in Bangladesh were hindered by systemic corruption and financial crises. With funds often misappropriated, meaningful development became nearly impossible. Additionally, Salahuddin's lack of full support from his colleagues exacerbated the situation. There was also criticism that he gave excessive autonomy to Mahfuza Akhter Kiran, the head of the women’s department, which led to further distancing from other colleagues.

One of the greatest stars in the country’s sports history, Kazi Md. Salahuddin, was born on September 23, 1953. He received his early education at BAF Shaheen School before attending Dhaka College and Dhaka University. Salahuddin began his football career with Wari Club in 1969 and joined Mohammedan the following year. In 1971, he played for the historic independent Bengali football team. His long and distinguished tenure with Abahani spanned from 1972 to 1984. During his time at Abahani, he developed a close friendship with Sheikh Kamal, which later led to Salahuddin becoming a confidant of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

An illustrative example of their relationship occurred during a Super Cup final between Abahani and Mohammedan at Bangabandhu Stadium. Sheikh Hasina and seven other individuals were seated in a private room to watch the match. Kazi Md. Salahuddin, among nine people present, was initially standing outside the room. When Sheikh Hasina noticed Salahuddin's absence from the room, she called out to him by his nickname, "Turjo," and later arranged for him to join the room, even assigning a state minister's seat to him.

While Salahuddin’s relationship with Sheikh Hasina is well-known in football circles, he has consistently denied any political involvement, unlike some other sports figures. Despite this, there have been ongoing allegations about his political affiliations. In a recent interview, Salahuddin, who is set to serve a fourth consecutive term as BFF president, addressed these allegations, stating, "I am close to Sheikh Hasina, but our relationship is personal. Have I ever engaged in politics?"

Kazi Md. Salahuddin's 16-year tenure as the head of Bangladesh football has been marked by significant challenges and criticisms. Despite the scrutiny, it’s crucial to recognize the context and the progress made under his leadership. Before Salahuddin's election on April 28, 2008, Bangladesh football was in a state of severe instability. Domestic leagues were irregular, and footballers faced financial hardship, often struggling to make ends meet. The situation was so dire that many players were left in a state of agitation and distress. Salahuddin's election brought a new direction. His commitment was evident when he promised to "activate Dhaka football," and he succeeded in revitalizing the sport. Under his leadership, the salaries of local footballers saw a significant increase, reaching 80-90 lakhs in recent seasons.

However, despite this progress, several issues remain. While footballers are earning better salaries, there is a lack of investment in personal development. Few players invest in personal nutritionists, physiotherapists, or trainers. This lack of personal investment means that footballers often rely heavily on the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) for support, much like in the past. In summary, while Salahuddin has made notable improvements in the financial aspects of football, broader issues persist, including the need for more professional development and support for players.

National team performance is closely tied to the strength of a country’s club structure. In Bangladesh, apart from Bashundhara Kings, most clubs lack a professional framework. This shortcoming is partly attributable to the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) and, by extension, Kazi Md. Salahuddin’s tenure. His failure to develop a professional club structure has impacted the overall quality of domestic football, leading to a stagnation in football activities and contributing to the national team’s poor international performance, as reflected by Bangladesh’s FIFA ranking of 184.

In the subsequent election, Salahuddin promised to focus on grassroots football. While he did make efforts to engage with grassroots levels, these efforts did not gain the necessary traction. The situation was complicated by structural issues within the sports arena. Prior to the 2008 elections, football at the grassroots level was managed by the District Sports Associations (DSAs). However, the formation of District and Divisional Football Associations (DFAs) led to conflicts over field allocation, as district stadiums remained under the control of DSAs. This conflict has created significant obstacles in organizing local leagues and continues to affect grassroots football development. In summary, while Salahuddin’s tenure saw some improvements, such as increased player salaries, the lack of a professional club structure and issues at the grassroots level have impeded the progress of football in Bangladesh, affecting both domestic and national team performance.

Grassroots football is supported by thousands of academies scattered across the country, playing a crucial role in nurturing young talent. However, many of these academies lack qualified coaches, modern facilities, and up-to-date training methodologies. As a result, young players miss out on essential football knowledge and modern techniques, which puts them at a disadvantage compared to peers trained in better-equipped environments.

The challenges in Bangladesh football extend beyond grassroots issues to systemic and financial problems. The primary issue is funding. There are persistent concerns about the proper utilization of funds from sponsorships, with financial transparency often questioned. This lack of clarity and accountability has deterred public and private investment in football.

In stark contrast, neighboring India allocated Rs 134 crore to its football budget for the 2023-24 financial year. Comparing this with Bangladesh’s football budget reveals a significant disparity, highlighting the urgent need for increased investment. Without substantial investment and improved financial management, overcoming the cycle of failure in Bangladeshi football will be exceedingly difficult—if not impossible—regardless of who succeeds Kazi Md. Salahuddin.

On September 21, 1982, Kazi Md. Salahuddin, along with Ashraf Uddin Ahmed Chunnu, Kazi Anwar Hossain, and Golam Rabbani Helal, was imprisoned due to a football-related incident. In his frustration, Salahuddin famously destroyed the national team jersey and other memorabilia. Reflecting on this period, Salahuddin remarked, "The only question that plagued my mind was, 'Why was I in prison? I did not rob or steal.'"

He acknowledged that while he faced significant challenges during his tenure as president of the Football Federation, the responsibility for the failures did not lie solely with him. Salahuddin indicated that he had to contend with various pressures that impacted his ability to lead effectively. The true nature and extent of these challenges might become clearer over time, revealing how external factors influenced his presidency.

Mahbub Sarkar: Sports journalist and analyst