National hockey team forward Russell Mahmud Jimmy and the Bangladesh Hockey Federation filled two general diaries in Bangshal and Paltan respectively on Tuesday after
the player received a threat from an unknown number.
On July 18, the forward received a 432-word SMS from the unknown sender, who threatened him with dire consequences if he continued to play under the newly-elected committee.
The SMS left Jimmy’s family highly distraught, prompting him to consider retirement from the national team. However, the BHF managed to convince him to reconsider and to report the matter to police.
`My family members are very upset and worried after they came to know about the threat from an unknown number,’ Jimmy told reporters on Tuesday. ‘Today [Tuesday] I filed a general diary at the Bangshal police station. I am still thinking about retirement, but before finalizing my decision I will again discuss the matter with my family, well-wishers and the federation.
The BHF filed another general dairy at the Paltan police station.
`We took it very seriously,’ said Khaja Rahamatullah, the
general secretary of the BHF. It’s not only Jimmy; we are concerned about all national team players. We are trying to find out who the sender of this message could be.’
Rahmatullah was himself at loggerheads with some clubs over the recent BHF election, which left hockey organisers clearly divided in two camps and resulted in the inter-club player transfer not being held.
Hockey players have threatened to boycott the national camp if the federation cannot resolve the crisis by August 2.
-With New Age input
