Who Dropped 16 Footballers?

The government’s commendable initiative to uupport athletes clouded by poor decision-making.

A laudable government initiative to bring athletes under a monthly allowance program is being repeatedly questioned due to the lack of foresight by government officials and missteps by sports federations. The National Sports Council (NSC) selection committee and the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) cannot evade responsibility for at least 16 footballers being deprived of these benefits. On Sunday, the government brought 36 footballers—18 each from the men’s and women’s national teams—under a monthly allowance of 100,000 BDT. However, a total of 49 players featured in the most recent international matches for both teams. While the recipients are busy posting photos of their sports cards on social media, several other players are left heartbroken.

During the Women’s Asian Cup in March, the Bangladesh squad consisted of 26 footballers, but only 18 were granted the allowance. The list was provided to the National Sports Council by the Bangladesh Football Federation, leading both organizations to spark this controversy together.

The situation with the men’s team is even more disorganized. Out of the 23-man squad for the Asian Cup qualifiers against Singapore on March 30, only 15 were included in the list. Five expatriate players—Hamza Choudhury, Shamit Shome, Zayan Ahmed, Fahamidul Islam, and Tariq Kazi—were excluded because they earn higher salaries in foreign leagues. Beyond them, regulars like Bishwanath Ghosh, Suman Reza, and Faisal Arman Akash fell victim to the controversial decisions of the BFF and NSC. Conversely, three players who were not in the squad for the last two international matches—Topu Barman, Rakib Hossain, and Sohel Rana Jr.—are on the list of recipients. From the women’s side, Swarna Rani Mondal, Halima Akhter, Unnoti Khatun, Suravi Akter Arifin, Airin Khatun, Mossammat Sultana, and Alpi Akter are among those excluded.

When asked about these decisions, Md. Daulatuzzaman, head of the selection committee and Executive Director of the NSC, shifted the blame to the BFF. He stated that the lists were provided by the federation and the NSC merely verified if the names belonged to the national pool. He noted that due to limitations, the NSC had specifically asked the BFF to nominate only 18 players from each team.

However, Mohammad Aminul Ehsan, Member Secretary of the selection committee and Director of the NSC, mentioned that those deprived would be prioritized in the new fiscal year starting in two months. He acknowledged that while some players missed out this time, they aim to bring 500 athletes under the allowance program in the next phase, where the excluded footballers will be given serious consideration.

The BFF has yet to provide an explanation for how they selected 18 players from each team, as they were occupied with executive committee meetings. Meanwhile, the deprived footballers, though pained, have remained silent out of fear of potential repercussions regarding their future careers.

Recipients of the Allowance:

Men’s Team (18): Mitul Marma, Mehedi Hasan Srabon, Sujon Hossain, Jamal Bhuyan, Rahmat Mia, Saad Uddin, Sheikh Morsalin, Shakil Ahad Topu, Mohammad Ridoy, Sohel Rana, Faysal Ahmed Fahim, Abdullah Omar, Syed Shah Kazem Kirmani, Topu Barman, Rakib Hossain, Mirajul Islam, Sohel Rana Jr., and Shahriar Emon.

Women’s Team (18): Rupna Chakma, Afeida Khandaker, Mili Akter, Shamsunnahar (Senior), Kohati Kisku, Monika Chakma, Maria Manda, Sapna Rani, Munki Akter, Ritu Porna Chakma, Shaheda Akter Ripa, Tohura Khatun, Shamsunnahar (Junior), Sheuli Azim, Mossammat Sagorika, Suravi Akhand Preeti, Umehla Marma, and Nabiron Khatun.