Former national footballer and director of Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra, Golam Rabbani Helal, on Friday announced to challenge incumbent president Kazi Salahuddin in the forthcoming elections of Bangladesh Football Federation. Helal, once an ally of Salahuddin, is likely to collect his nomination paper for the president post today when the election commission will distribute nomination papers for the 21 posts.
Salahuddin hardly faced any challenge four years ago when his rivals either had withdrawn their nomination papers or backed away from the process at the eleventh hour.
But Helal, a losing candidate for senior vice-president post in 2012, insisted he is not going to give up under any circumstance this time and said he will contest independently.
‘I will not allow him [Salahuddin] winning the post unopposed,’ said Helal.
failed to develop the game in the last eight years. I am confident that I can take the game to certain level.’
Helal blasted Salahuddin for his inability to produce any star player during his tenure as president.
‘When the whole country is going forward under the leadership of prime minister Sheikh Hasina, we are lagging behind in football, so I am ready to take the challenge.’
Helal also criticised the BFF’s move to hold the April 30 election at a posh hotel instead of BFF House.
‘BFF is going to spend a huge amount of money by holding the elections at a luxurious hotel. They could use the money for the development of football instead.
Helal is the first person to publicly announce his candidature against Salahuddin.
Anyone can contest in the elections as there is no obligation of being a councilor unlike the other sports federations.
-With New Age input
