Why BD are so weak in soccer?
There is no doubt that soccer is the most popular sports in the world. Its magnetism is more than the combined attractiveness of all other sports, but what a sad matter it is that the Bangladesh Footfall Federation and the players have failed to retain the soccer’s popularity in the country, which Abahani Limited and Dhaka Mohammedan together had in the seventies and eighties.
The most sad part of Football in Bangladesh is that it is now more a ground of inter play of politics and the politicians. It is also well known that the names of political figures or related thereto dominate the football arena, if not era, of the country. To put it more simply, footfall has lost its ground.
Bangladesh have gone to Bhutan to play their most important qualifying match of the Asia Cup Football 2019 to be held on Monday.
A loss will simply debar them from playing in any international tournament for the next two years. So, the players must play their best, as often do South Korea at both home and abroad.
What a pity it is that the federation has failed to retain the popular Aga Khan Gold Cup Football Tournament introduced in 1958 and the President Cup in the eighties.
Even it has not been able to organise the Bangabandhu International Gold Cup Football tourney on a regular basis.
We do not know whether the Kamal International Gold Cup Soccer, which created sensation last year, will be held this year?
We like to say that action is better than lecture, which Olympic Champions Brazil have been showing in the recent time. Let us follow them.
Abdullah Akber
Dhaka
