HOCKEY FEDERATION ELECTION
No change in NSC councillors
The election commission for the upcoming Bangladesh Hockey Federation election published the final list of councillors on Wednesday, keeping the five nominees of National Sports Council unchanged.
The NSC had nominated Abdus Sadek, Jumman Lusai, Mahbub Harun, Mamunur Rashid and Zaki Ahmed Ripon – all former players of Abahani – which earned the regulatory body a lot of criticism.
The move was viewed as a clear biasness towards Abahani councillor Khaja Rahmatullah, who is a general secretary candidate in the election.
Five premier division clubs, including Abahani’s bitter rivals Mohammedan Sporting Club and Mariner Young’s Club, earlier demanded the BHF president Air Marshal Enamul Bari take initiative to change the NSC nominees.
The BHF president promised to make an effort and had reportedly requested the NSC chairman, the state minister for youth and sports Ahad Ali Sarkar, to reconsider the nominees. However, the request apparently fell on deaf ears.
Shafiullah Al Munir, a councillor from Mariner Young’s Club and one of the general secretary candidates, was disappointed with the NSC’s decision to stick with its nominees.
‘It is very unfortunate that the president could not keep his promise,’ said Munir. ‘However, we are not going to start back-pedalling just because of it. We must participate in the election because the general voters are my strength,’ he said.
Sajed Adel, councillor of Mohammedan SC, also has reacted with frustration.
‘With the decision there will be an uneven field for the elections. Mohammedan will rethink after NSC’s controversial decision whether they will participate in the polls or not,’ said Sajed.
The Election Commission said that they had received a total of 12 objections including that of NSC’s nominations, but all were rejected after two days of hearing that ended on Wednesday.
A total of 71 councillors will cast their votes to elect a 28-member executive committee in the BHF election, which will be held on June 27.
-With New Age input
