The Bangladesh Football Federation will start the much-talked-about Sylhet Academy on November 13, two-and-half year after it was inaugurated by the FIFA president Sepp Blatter.
Blatter inaugurated the academy at the Sylhet BKSP on March 6, 2012, but the BFF failed to make it functioning as the National Sports Council delayed the handover process.
It took the NSC, the sports regulatory body, to complete the handover and some renovation works for around five years despite the government allocating Taka 2 crore for the purpose.
The BFF also received a grant of $2 lakh from the FIFA to start the academy but due to the delayed handover process, the money was spent in some other projects.
FIFA recently gave the BFF a reminder to start the academy and warned that otherwise it will risk losing the remaining grant for the project.
After the remainder, BFF moved and finally managed to complete all the process to get the academy running. It is now hoping to receive another $ 3 lakh promised by the FIFA for the project soon.
Initially, the BFF will start the academy with 40 footballers from two different age-level of Under-13 and Under-16 players under the local coaches.
BFF’s technical director Bayjeed Alam Jubair Nipu will supervise the academy with five coaches working under him.
Former national team assistant coach Syed Golaj Jilani and Abu Rahel were appointed for the Under-16 players while Under-13 players will receive training from Abdur Razzak and Parvez Babu respectively.
Meanwhile, goalkeeping coach Sukkur Mahmud Totam will work with both the age groups, said the BFF.
FIFA’s Asian zone development officer Vincent Subriminium and New Delhi development officer Sajhi Provakaran will remain present on the opening day.
The BFF also invited finance minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith to attend the programme as the chief guest.
-With New Age input
