The past Awami League (AL) government had vowed to make the country’s sports sector free from political influence. But this promise remains unfulfilled. Many loyal to the AL had been appointed to key posts of all the sports federations, depriving many dedicated sports organisers. The intense competition for getting leadership positions badly harmed sports across the country.
MB Saif, a Jubo League leader from Gopalganj, was appointed as the general secretary of the Swimming Federation. Similarly, Mominul Haque Saeed, a Jubo League leader implicated in a casino scandal case, was made general secretary of the Hockey Federation through AL’s influence. Mominul, who fled the country following a police raid on the casino at a club in the capital’s Motijheel area, returned after a long absence and got back his position as general secretary of the Hockey Federation. Before the fall of the AL government on August 5, Mominul set up a 30-member team, including 24 hockey players, to attend a training camp in Germany. The team was managed by the controversial Jubo League leader and listed terrorist Ismail Chowdhury Samrat, who suffered one-year jail in connection with the casino case.
Mominul himself was supposed to lead the team. However, after the political changeover, this tour was cancelled, and Bangladesh hockey team could not travel to Germany.
Several general secretaries of various sports federations are the members of the AL Central Sports Sub-committee. Notable names include Dulal Hossain (Wushu Federation), Taherul Alam Chowdhury (Cycling Federation), Mazharul Islam (Boxing Federation), and Ahmed Asiful Hassan (Roller Skating Federation). Asiful mentioned that his work in the sports arena led to his inclusion in the AL's subcommittee. Taherul claimed that he does not engage in politics and has never attended a sub-committee meeting.
When the AL returned to power in 2009, Mokaddes Hossain, an AL member, was appointed General Secretary of the ad hoc committee of the Chess Federation through the influence of the Sheikh family.
However, he was not accepted by the Chess Federation staff, and the chess community staged protests several times against him. Many alleged that Mokaddes during it 15 years tenure did almost nothing for any Grandmaster in Bangladesh. Mokaddes has been residing in France for the few years.
Over the past 16 years of AL rule, there had been an unholy nexus within the federations. This culture started during the BNP's tenure in 1991. Party leaders were appointed as president and general secretary of different sports federations. For instance, SA Sultan, a former MP was the president of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) and Ali Asghar, another former MP, was the president of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
Abdus Salam, a central BNP leader, became the president of the Athletics Federation, while Ali Imam of Tangail, then president of the Tangail District Youth Party, served as general secretary of the same federation. Aminul Haque Dewan of Bogra became the general secretary of the Swimming Federation. Salauddin Ahmed, a former BNP MP, was appointed president of the Wrestling Federation. Late Nasir Uddin Pintu, a former president of Chhatra Dal, was made president of the Cycling Federation, and Haji Salim of the AL also held the same position.
The past AL and BNP governments, instead of devising a policy for appointing presidents and secretaries to sports federations, they filled the key posts with their own people. The AL has placed its leaders and ministers in top federation roles. The last list of government-appointed presidents included four ministers. They were Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury (Tennis), Junaid Ahmed Palak (Carom), Farooq Khan (Squash), and Dipu Moni (Kyokushin Karate Association). Former minister Shajahan Khan (Wrestling) and former whip Mahbooba Ara Begum Gini (Women's Sports Association), who were the presidents. Shajahan Khan, who had served as president of the Wrestling Federation since 2009, visited the federation office 15 times in 15 years.
Kazi Morshed Hossain, Joint Secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan South AL, was the President of the Taekwondo Federation. Former Chittagong mayor AJM Nasir Uddin became the President of the Chukbal Association.
Other Grand Alliance leaders have also held federation president positions, such as Hasanul Haque Inu (Bangladesh Martial Arts Confederation) and Kazi Feroze Rashid (Bangladesh Surfing Association).
Of the 55 sports federations/associations where the Awami League government appointed presidents, 14 were party leaders, including six MPs and two former MPs. Seven government officials, six ex-current army officers, and two police officers were also appointed. Additionally, businessmen, educators, and media personalities were included in the list of presidents.
Several individuals have held the position of General Secretary in various federations for extended periods. Tabiur Rahman Pahlwan has been the General Secretary of the Wrestling Federation for 43 years. Asaduzzaman Kohinoor has served as General Secretary of the Bangladesh Handball Federation for 33 years.
Mahmudul Islam has been the General Secretary of the Taekwondo Federation for 26 years since its inception in 1998. He attributes his long tenure to his ability to work collaboratively with everyone.
Ashiqur Rahman has been the General Secretary of the Volleyball Federation for 22 years and is also a key policymaker in the District and Divisional Sports Organisers Parishad Forum. He served as General Secretary of the Narail District Sports Association until its disbandment. Haji Khorshed Alam, aged 93, has been the General Secretary of the Rowing Federation for over 20 years across three terms. Kazi Rajeev Uddin Ahmed has held the position of General Secretary of the Archery Federation for 18 years and is also the President of the Sepak Takro Association. AK Sarkar has been the General Secretary of the Basketball Federation for 16 years.
While experience enriches an organiser, new leadership is also essential for development. Unfortunately, many sports have not progressed due to prolonged single leadership. Even with government changes, these faces remain. Former secretary and sports analyst Akhtar Hossain Khan commented, "New leadership is beneficial, but it is rarely seen. In Bangladesh, political affiliations often overshadow organisers. With government changes, federation leadership also changes, hindering the sport in many cases. Will this trend change?"
BNP sports secretary and former Bangladesh football team captain Aminul Haque remains hopeful for change. Following the government reshuffle on 5th August, he promised that if the BNP comes to power, there will be no partisanship in the sports arena. "We do not want to run sports with party affiliates in any capacity," he stated.
