Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club president Manzur Kader has criticised the stance taken by former Bangladesh Cricket Board president Saber Hossain Chowdhury, who pulled out of the upcoming election for cricket’s governing body. Manzur expressed his despair and anger at Saber’s decision to back out after a meeting of Dhaka Cricket Clubs Association members on Thursday at the Mohammedan Sporting Club premises. The impending BCB election is slated for October 10 after the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court cleared the way for an executive body election on July 25.
Former BCB president Saber, who was at the helm from 1997-2001, cited his fear of being in contempt of court as the reason behind his decision, as the Appellate Division verdict said that the election should be held under the amended constitution dated November 21, 2012.
Saber said he had no knowledge if any amendment was made on the aforesaid date. The constitution that the National Sports Council is following for the election was approved on November 29, 2012.
DCCA convener Manzur was vocal in his criticism towards Saber, saying that the former BCB supremo was resorting to excuses right before the election.
‘We do not want anyone to come to the [Bangladesh Cricket] board and do something untoward. One cannot have everything his own way. The old guard will depart and a new one will arrive,’ said Manzur.
‘Since some people are unable to make a place for themselves in the board, they are now using excuses with regard to the rules and regulations. Leave the court aside and try to improve the way cricket is run,’ he added.
Manzur took an indirect swipe at the Saber-backed panel, hinting that they had been involved in unbecoming conduct, while also expressing his hope for an improved environment for the game of cricket.
‘No one expected certain things done by a group right before the election, as it was beyond anybody’s imagination. Despite that, we all want a good atmosphere for the game,’ he said.
Manzur went on to praise incumbent BCB president Nazmul Hasan, saying that no one else would have done a better job.
‘It has been a little less than a year since [Nazmul Hasan] Papon was here. He understands politics well. During the last 10 months or so, he took care of many hitches and glitches and started the [Dhaka Premier Division Cricket] league. The league is going well,’ said Manzur.
‘The way Papon is doing everything – has any president done it better than him previously?’
BCB ad hoc committee director Enayet Hossain Siraj, director in-charge of Mohammedan Lokman Hossain Bhuiyan and Abahani officials Ismail Haider Mallick and Jalal Yunus were also present at the conference.
-With New Age input
