Let football also be reformed along with the state

The sports arena is not a separate world from social and political life. The waves of state life will crash into this domain as well, and both familiar and unfamiliar faces will emerge as key players in implementing the agendas of individuals and groups—this is only natural. Given the recent political upheaval, the ongoing chaos in sports and the hindrance to sports practice is also not unexpected. We have faced similar experiences in the past.

However, in this instance, while some find the situation to be normal, others find it unbelievable. In the game of individual and collective interests, along with the sacrifice of political ideologies and principles, various plays of changing colors are now occurring in the football arena. Many had been waiting in the shadows, and with the regime change, they have abandoned their ideals and ethics, flowing with the tide. It seems that no opportunity should be missed at any cost. If one cannot follow the times, they must remain in darkness!

However, the image of the sports arena involved in individual worship is so fragile that the conscious circles are concerned about it. For many years, the country’s most popular sport, football, has been going through a tough time. The trajectory of progress is constricted due to uncertainty and lack of confidence. Instead, the standard at the international level continues to plummet. In the FIFA rankings, Bangladeshi football is now lying exhausted behind Bhutan.

Since 2010, the national men's team has not had the chance to touch the trophy in the South Asian Football Championship for the past 14 years. Even so, there has been much drama off the field—noise, and sometimes even complacency! Jealousy, division, constant opposition, conflicts of personality, and the burden of disunity in work continue to grow. How will football rise from this? It won’t. It has never happened.

Even after more than five decades, there has been no change in the thoughts and mindset of those involved in football. There has been no consideration for reform or changes needed to meet the demands of the times. The issues of prioritization and a roadmap for football have consistently been neglected. Alongside the controversies surrounding the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), there has been no serious consideration for improving the development structure from within the organization. The struggle for retaining and seizing power has never allowed football's backbone to strengthen.

The main hub of football in the country is Bangabandhu Stadium, an internationally recognized venue approved by FIFA and AFC. Since August 2021, this venue has been undergoing renovation work for over three years. After an investment of 1.57 billion takas for modernization, it remains uncertain when football will be played there again. The thought of a stadium being without games for such an extended period is hard to fathom!

Football Federation discussions often revolve around issues like resignations and candidacies (which are indeed fundamental democratic rights), leading to numerous rallies, gatherings, and human chains. Even several former prominent footballers have been involved in these movements, both publicly and behind the scenes. Yet, where are the statements or human chains from fifty former footballers demanding the swift opening of the stadium for football? They have not called for international matches to be held there.

The core problem of football in the 53 years since independence has been a lack of accountability, transparency, and good governance. Football has been exploited for individual and collective interests rather than being guided by the collective spirit of the Great Liberation War. It has never been humanistic, nor has it ever embraced democracy, the rule of law, equality, or a path towards justice and inclusivity through prosperity. Professionalism in football has not developed, and principles and ethics have been sidelined. Instead, the sport has been neglected while individual praises, discussions, criticisms, and condemnations have dominated year after year.

The dominance of individuals over institutions has harmed football itself. As a result, the country’s most popular sport has failed to realize the hopes and aspirations of the general public. Despite the glorious past of the people of East Bengal, they have been deceived through football in an independent country, which is truly unfortunate.

At one time, those who could not even compete with us are now the ones we face on the field, and we suffer from anxiety and lack of confidence before entering the battle. This is because they are systematically nurturing and advancing football every day, while we are unable to match them. I am not sure how clear the matter of public aspirations is to the relevant authorities in the football arena. The general public wants football to be freed from the debris of so many years.

Let their demands be realized through reform. This reform in football requires consensus, as well as strict implementation of policies and timely decisions. For now, we must look forward to the elections of the Bangladesh Football Federation on October 26. Before that, there isn't much scope to say anything.