Salahuddin elected BFF president for third term 

Kazi Mohammad Salahuddin has retained the top job of Bangladesh Football Federation after being elected for a third successive term.

Mohammad Jubearbdnews24.com
Published : 30 April 2016, 11:25 AM
Updated : 30 April 2016, 06:50 PM

The former Bangladesh footballer won the polls by 83 votes to 50 against Kamrul Ashraf Khan, an MP from Narsinghdi-2 parliamentary constituency.

Elections were held at Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel on Saturday.

Salahuddin was elected for the first time as the president of Bangladesh football's governing council in 2008 before being re-elected unopposed in 2012.

The former Swadhin Bangla Football Team forward's playing career peaked during his days at the illustrious domestic club Abahani Limited. He also played for the Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra.

Much renowned as a veteran administrator of the sport, Salahuddin was the vice-chairman of BFF in 2003 before becoming the chairman of the National Team Management Committee.

He also served as a president of the South Asian Football Federation for the two consecutive terms. This 61-year old is also a member of FIFA’s marketing committee.

"I accepted the defeat - getting 50 votes is no a small task. The election has been fair. If Salahuddin wants, I will help him in the development of football," Ashraf said after the results were announced.

In an immediate reaction after being elected president, Salahuddin said, "(This win) is victory for football and truth, it has to happen."

Salahuddin-led Sammilita Parishad had released a 25-point manifesto to take the "Bangladesh football forward".

In the manifesto, he promised to provide funds to clubs, form under-14, under-16, and under-18 teams, revive the defunct football academy, and build an international-standard fitness centre among other things.

Salahuddin, however, struggled to maintain the schedule for domestic fixtures while the transfer process of players, too, was controversial during his last two terms.

He faces a steep task in his third term considering the recent failure of the national team in home and away matches.

Salahuddin was criticised for some shortcomings in his previous tenures. Now he is keen to overcome those limitations.

"It’s natural that you will be criticised if you do something. I will reveal my future plans a couple of days later as the polls have only just ended," Salahuddin said.

While speaking at a press conference later in the night, he sought everyone's cooperation in order to complete the unfinished tasks in his third term.

"(I) will do as much as I can, and will also try to finish the works that were not done."

To implement the 25-point manifesto, Salahuddin will be assisted by Kazi Nabil Ahmed (92 votes), Badal Roy (73 votes), Mohiuddin Ahmed Mohi (72 votes) and Tabith Awal (66 votes), who were elected as vice presidents in BFF's Electoral Congress.

No polling was necessary for the post of senior vice president as Abdus Salam Murshedy was elected unopposed after rival candidates withdrew nominations.