BFF takes initiative of paying due wages
Lodewijk De Kruif, the Dutch coach of Bangladesh national football team, will return to Dhaka at the end of this month after nearly two months’ vacation, said the officials of the Bangladesh Football Federation on Wednesday. De Kruif along with his assistant Rene Koster left Dhaka on April 7. It was widely rumoured that the Dutch duo had left due to nonpayment of wages and might not return again.
The Bangladesh Football Federation, however, always maintained that they were in favour of bringing the coaches back at the helm.
Tabith Awal, vice-president of the BFF and a member of the National Team Management Committee, claimed that they have paid most of the unpaid wages to the coaches.
‘It was true that we failed to give the wages timely,’ Tabith said on Wednesday. ‘But now only a handful amount of money remained unpaid. We had a positive discussion with the coaches and probably they will arrive on May 27.’
De Kruif and Koster joined the BFF in June 2013 on a two-year contract at a monthly salary of 12,000 euro and 8,000 euro respectivey. Their contract has a certain clause that said either the BFF or the coach can reconsider their ties after one year.
The BFF hoped the Dutch duo will not use the clause to sever their ties with Bangladesh. This is one reason the BFF extended their leave up to May, although they were given one month’s leave.
Abu Nayeem Sohag, general secretary of the BFF, said the payment of four month’s unpaid wages is in process.
‘We are working to pay them four months’ due wages and I’m hopeful that the financial terms will not be an obstacle to their return,’ said Sohag on Wednesday. Sohag, however, was unsure if the coaches will return exactly on May 27.
BFF vice-president Tabith said immediately after their arrival the coaches will start forming a strong under-23 national team for the upcoming Asian Games, scheduled to be held from September 19 to October 4 in Incheon, South Korea.
‘De Kruif wants to form a strong team for the Asian Games,’ said Tabith. `The Dutch coaches also wished to work with all local coaches in the coming days.’
-With New Age input
