Five years ago, Tarafder Ruhul Amin, the Managing Director of Saif Powertech, attempted to secure the presidency of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) by distributing Taka two lakh to every district sports organization. Despite his efforts, his ambitions were thwarted, and he eventually stepped away from football.
The recent announcement of Ruhul Amin's return to the BFF presidential race has left sports organizers and councilors for the upcoming elections in disbelief. Many question his ability to maintain the momentum he once had, citing a lack of trust in his dedication and reliability.
During his previous campaign, while distributing funds, the MD of a leasing company raised concerns about how Ruhul Amin could allocate Taka 1.5 crore for football without settling their dues.
On September 14, Kazi Salahuddin declared in a press conference that he would not seek re-election as BFF president. However, within 24 hours, he reversed his decision, announcing his candidacy at a five-star hotel press conference.
Simultaneously, former federation vice-president Tabith Awal also announced his bid for the presidency. A prominent BNP leader with deep ties to BFF, Tabith was elected vice-president in the last election but did not secure the presidency.
In contrast, many football organizers are showing support for Imrul Hasan, President of Bashundhara Kings and Vice-President of the BFF, due to his professionalism and commitment. Imrul Hasan's notable contributions include the establishment of the Bashundhara Football Academy and the success of Bashundhara Kings in Asian club football. He is widely regarded as a reliable candidate for the BFF presidency.
The BFF election is set for October 26, and the competition is expected to intensify as the date approaches. There are indications that Tarafdar Ruhul Amin may withdraw from the race, as influential figures in the sports community are unlikely to back someone who benefited from the previous government. Consequently, the primary contest is anticipated to be between Tabith Awal and Imrul Hasan.
