The Executive Committee of the Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) has been embroiled in controversy following its decision on May 25 to impose bans ranging from warnings to lifetime exclusions on players, coaches, and officials. Additionally, financial penalties were levied against certain clubs. Over a month later, the delivery of punishment letters via WhatsApp has sparked outrage among recipients.
Russell Khan Bappi, a former national team captain and goalkeeper coach for Mohammedan Club in the Premier Division Hockey League, was handed a five-match ban. Bappi's receipt of the disciplinary letter through WhatsApp on Wednesday led him to question the professionalism of the federation's administrative processes, citing the casual delivery method and spelling errors in the letter as signs of a lack of official discipline.
Ariful Haque, the joint secretary of the federation and manager of Mohammedan, has been barred from the dugout for four years.
The letter detailing his ban, dated June 8 and signed by BHF General Secretary Mominul Haque Saeed, was also received via the messaging app.The inconsistency in the distribution of disciplinary letters has raised questions, with many still awaiting official communication. Notable figures such as Russell Mahmud Jimmy, an icon of Bangladesh hockey, and several club officials and coaches have been affected by the federation's decisions.
The executive meeting's resolution to issue lifetime bans to five individuals, including Mohammedan coach Gopinathan and former federation officials, has been particularly contentious, with some suggesting personal vendettas may be at play.
The BHF's handling of the situation has drawn criticism for the lack of opportunity provided to the accused to present a defense or express remorse. General Secretary Mominul Haque Saeed maintains that the letters were dispatched long ago, including to the Asian Hockey Federation and the permanent addresses of local players and coaches. However, the actual receipt of these letters remains unconfirmed, and the federation's acknowledgment process for important communications has been called into question.
The episode has highlighted the amateur status of hockey administration in Bangladesh, despite the sport's global popularity. The BHF's approach to this disciplinary matter has opened a debate on the need for more professional administrative practices within the sport's governing bodies.
