Bangladesh’s preparations for the upcoming Hockey Asia Cup have been overshadowed by controversy, following the exclusion of four senior players from the final 19-member squad. The omission of former captain Puskar Khisa Mimo, along with Naim Uddin, Mainul Islam Koushik, and Mahbub Hossain, has sparked allegations of personal vendetta and internal discord within the federation.
All four players had been part of the national camp that began on 10 August, yet were left out of the final selection. Their exclusion has been linked by some to unresolved tensions dating back to April’s AHF Cup in Indonesia, where Bangladesh failed to reach the final and thus missed direct qualification for the Asia Cup. The team’s manager during that tournament, Abu Zafar Tapon — now a member of the selection panel and joint secretary of the federation — has been accused of harbouring personal grievances against the players.
The situation escalated on Tuesday when the excluded players met with federation general secretary Riazul Hasan to seek clarity. During the meeting, tempers reportedly flared, with allegations that Tapon used abusive language towards Naim Uddin.
Mimo, speaking on behalf of the group, claimed that the players had been unfairly blamed for the AHF Cup failure, and that deeper issues — including poor logistical support, substandard meals, and mismanagement — had contributed to the team’s underperformance.
According to Mimo, tensions with the management were ongoing throughout the tournament, with disputes over player allowances, equipment, and basic provisions. He alleged that his role as captain, in voicing the team’s concerns, had made him a target. The players believe their exclusion from the Asia Cup squad is not based on merit, but on retaliation.
Tapon has denied the allegations, insisting that selection was based solely on fitness and performance. He acknowledged a heated exchange but refuted claims of verbal abuse. General secretary Riazul Hasan, while downplaying the incident, stated that any formal complaint would be investigated.
This episode is not isolated. Since the appointment of the current ad-hoc committee, tensions between players and officials have simmered. The controversial exclusion of star midfielder Russell Mahmud Jimmy from the AHF Cup squad earlier this year had already raised eyebrows. Now, with more senior figures sidelined, calls for structural reform and leadership change are growing louder.
As Bangladesh prepares to compete in the Asia Cup — a tournament they were only invited to following Pakistan’s withdrawal — the internal unrest threatens to undermine their campaign before it begins. Selection controversies, allegations of mismanagement, and fractured relationships between players and officials point to a deeper malaise within the federation.
If Bangladesh hockey is to move forward, it must confront these issues head-on. Transparency, professionalism, and respect must be restored — not just for the sake of the players, but for the integrity of the sport itself.
