Just a day after current Bangladesh Football Federation president Kazi Salahuddin declared his decision not to compete for the post in the forthcoming federation elections, businessman Tarafdar Ruhul Amin entered the scene.
Tarafdar, Saif Powetec Limited managing director and chairman of the standing committee on port and shipping of Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, officially announced his candidacy for the BFF president post during a press conference at a city hotel on Sunday.
A banner behind the stage at the press conference read, 鈥楢nnouncing Candidacy for Bangladesh Football Federation Election 2024, Presidential Candidate Based on Consensus.鈥�
Tarafdar appeared on the stage alongside former player Syed Rumman Bin Wali Sabbir, divisional leader Abdullah Fuad, former footballer Shafiqul Islam Manik, and several more.
The announcement was made first by Ali Imam Tapan, a Tangail-based BNP leader and former Athletics Federation general secretary.
鈥極n behalf of all the districts and divisions of Bangladesh, we are announcing the candidacy of Tarafdar Ruhul Amin for the BFF presidency,鈥� stated Tapan.
Soon after, Tarafdar took the microphone and said, 鈥業 gladly accept this announcement.鈥�
Tarafdar believed that the passion for football in the country has evaporated after 2008 and that football has reached rock bottom.
鈥業t鈥檚 become so terrible that it鈥檚 difficult to turn things around. There is no football structure; we have reduced football to a table sport,鈥� he said.
Tarafdar also claimed that those who are the running the BFF have neglected their duties and disrespected the passion of the people for the game.
鈥楽ince 2015-16, we鈥檝e done a lot for football. Under the banner of Saif Powertec, we organised district leagues and provided many players, even under difficult circumstances. But the football federation never wanted us involved in football.
鈥楾he way football has been progressing is wrong. We鈥檝e made a mockery of football. We鈥檝e played with the emotions of Bengalis, and it鈥檚 been disgraceful.鈥�
In the last elections, Tarafdar did not file his candidacy, citing personal reasons, though rumours suggest that he was unable to run due to a variety of pressures.
聽鈥榃hen I tried to move forward with a panel in 2020, they conspired against me. My business was harmed, and I couldn鈥檛 stay in the country. Saif Powertec suffered, and Saif Sporting Club had to shut down,鈥� he said.
Though Tarafdar鈥檚 panel has not yet been finalised, he has promised to focus on the development of football nationwide if elected. He has also pledged to take football beyond air-conditioned rooms and spread it throughout the country.
鈥楾here鈥檚 no trust in BFF. Sponsors don鈥檛 come. Funds are misused. The SNC-FIFA money wasn鈥檛 used properly. The FIFA suspended the BFF general secretary due to financial irregularities and fined the senior vice president. It鈥檚 shameful,鈥� he added.
BNP sports secretary and former national team captain Aminul Haque, BNP leader Khairul Kabir Khokon, former national team striker Enamul Haque, and veteran midfielder Mamunul Islam were also present among others during the press conference.
