Kazi Salahuddin reelected president of Bangladesh Football Federation

Kazi Salahuddin has been reelected president of Bangladesh Football Federation for the fourth consecutive term.

Chief Election Commissioner Mejbah Uddin Ahmed announced the results on Saturday evening after 135 out of 139 councillors cast their ballot at a Dhaka hotel.

The former footballer Salahuddin bagged 94 votes.

His nearest rival Badal Roy got 40 votes. Badal had pulled himself out of the race, but his name remained on the ballot papers as the withdrawal came after the clearance of the nominations.

The other candidate, Shafiqul Islam Manik, secured only one vote.

Businessman and sports organiser Abdus Salam Murshedy has been reelected senior vice-president from the panel led by Salahuddin.

Salahuddin was elected for the first time as chief of Bangladesh football's governing body in 2008 before being re-elected unopposed in 2012. He won the election again in 2016.

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 is serving as  president of the South Asian Football Federation for third consecutive term.

As the BFF president, he was praised for organising tournaments like the Super Cup, Bangabandhu International Gold Cup, success in women’s age-based football, and efforts to bring Lionel Messi-led Argentina to Bangladesh.

He also faced criticism for BFF’s failure to follow the schedule of domestic football while the national team failed to pass the group-stage hurdle in SAFF Championship four times during his tenure. 

In FIFA rankings, Bangladesh have made little progress and are languishing at 187 now.