Football in Bangladesh
Encyclopedia
Despite the dominance of Cricket as a national pastime, football is a very popular sport in Bangladesh, although it is under neglect from both the government and authorities including the country’s football federation Bangladesh Football Federation
(BFF).
Compared to the past, the standard of Bangladeshi football has degraded due to mismanagement, lack of support and poor investment. An interest in cricket resulting from the nation’s success in test cricket and participation in the World Cup overshadowed the past fame in the nation’s football. But however this did not affect football’s popularity: more football tournaments are organized in and outside Dhaka than of any other sports and football fever grips the nation during every FIFA World Cup
. Federation officials and experts are still hopeful about the development of football in the country in the next ten years despite financial obstacles and lack of professionalism.
which played 16 matches in India and was officially received by the BFF
in 2009.
The time before the 90s saw national soccer fever in league football specifically in the Dhaka League
, which possessed club teams famous home and abroad. League football was popular even before independence, from the 1940s to 1960s under Pakistan
.There were quite a number of premier football clubs in Dhaka, in the 40s, most prominent among them were Dhaka Wanderers, Victoria SC, Wari Club, Mohammedan SC, EP Gymkhana, Railways, and Fire service. Match between East Pakistan Governors XI vs. West Bengal XI was held at Dhaka in the late forties. The first Dhaka League
was won by Bangladeshi Victoria SC in 1948, three years prior to the Mother Language Movement
when still under Pakistani rule. Football was played both in the domestic leagues and abroad. Bangladeshi clubs such as BKSP and Bangladesh Red played with success in international football tournaments like Aga Khan Gold Cup, President Gold Cup, Dana Cup
and Gothia Cup
. BKSP won the later two in 1990 while Bangladesh Red were runners-up in the first President Gold Cup in 1981 and won it in 1989. Except that, Bangladeshi clubs bagged three more titles abroad: Quaid-E-Azam Trophy of Pakistan in 1985, Four-nation invitational tournament of Myanmar in 1995 and Jigme Dorji Wangchuk Memorial Football of Bhutan in 2003.
Bangladesh’s best player of all times is Kazi Salahuddin
, who played professional football in Hong Kong
in 1979 and is now president of the BFF
.
After BFF
’s establishment in 1972 the national team played their first international against Thailand
in the 1973 Merdeka tournament in Malaysia. After its membership with FIFA
in 1974 and the Asian Football Confederation
(AFC), the national team participated in the 1980 AFC Asian Cup
finals and the 1986 FIFA World Cup
qualifiers. But the nation’s best results came at South Asian level where it won the SAFF Championship
once and were gold medalists in South Asian Games twice.
Recent ten years saw a series of changes in national head coaches and many famous coaches like the Austrian György Kottán
and German Otto Pfister
, who coached Ivory Coast to their first FIFA World Cup
finals in 2006. Not giving enough time to coaches might be one the reasons behind the country’s degrading football.
However in 2006 Bangladesh reached the quarterfinals of AFC Challenge Cup under Argentine coach Andres Cruciani
and in 2010 Bangladesh won the 11th South Asian Games on home soil under the Serbian Zoran Djordjevic, who left in February the same year.
The Bangladesh Football Federation
(BFF) was established on 15 July 1972 and has been a member of the FIFA since 1974 and of AFC in 1973. The federation is responsible for organising all club championships and the professional league. It is currently working with AFC’s Vision Asia programme to improve the domestic football infrastructure.
The BFF
is presided by Kazi Salahuddin
since April 2008.
In October 2008, first women's school football tournament was held under the Vision Bangladesh programme with BFF
hopeful of continuing and developing the women's game in the country.
Women's football was included in the South Asian Games 2010
hosted in Dhaka while the first Women's SAFF Championship is to be held in December in the country. Bangladesh had their first team
in the AFC U-19 Women's Championship
qualifiers with India
, Jordan
and Iran
in their group.
Among a total of 4100 clubs , the most renowned clubs today are namely Abahani Limited
, Mohammedan SC, Muktijoddha SKS
, Brothers Union
and Sheikh Russel KC
.
Other regional leagues include the Chittagong League, Rajshahi League, Cox's Bazar League and the Comilla League.
and the FIFA Financial Assistance Programme paid for the facilities to be built on land donated by the government", stated by FIFA's first Goal project.
In 2009 Bangladesh’s first sports movie Jaago which gained much appreciation and popularity was produced to promote football in the country. There are many blogs and websites developing in the recent years to provide news and discussion on the country’s football.
Bangladesh Football Federation
The Bangladesh Football Federation or BFF is the governing body of football in Bangladesh. It controls the country's men's, women's and youth national teams and oversees all aspects of the country's football....
(BFF).
Compared to the past, the standard of Bangladeshi football has degraded due to mismanagement, lack of support and poor investment. An interest in cricket resulting from the nation’s success in test cricket and participation in the World Cup overshadowed the past fame in the nation’s football. But however this did not affect football’s popularity: more football tournaments are organized in and outside Dhaka than of any other sports and football fever grips the nation during every FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
. Federation officials and experts are still hopeful about the development of football in the country in the next ten years despite financial obstacles and lack of professionalism.
History
History tells us why football is still popular in the country. During the liberation war in 1971, football was the way to create international awareness of the war of independence: the establishment of the Swadhin Bangla Football TeamSwadhin Bangla Football Dal
Swadhin Bangla Football Dal was a football team consisting of Bangladeshi players during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. The team played across India to raise money and create public opinion for the war....
which played 16 matches in India and was officially received by the BFF
Bangladesh Football Federation
The Bangladesh Football Federation or BFF is the governing body of football in Bangladesh. It controls the country's men's, women's and youth national teams and oversees all aspects of the country's football....
in 2009.
The time before the 90s saw national soccer fever in league football specifically in the Dhaka League
Dhaka League
Dhaka League is the premier regional football league in Bangladesh played by clubs in Dhaka. Until 2000, it was the top-tier league of the country.-History:...
, which possessed club teams famous home and abroad. League football was popular even before independence, from the 1940s to 1960s under Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
.There were quite a number of premier football clubs in Dhaka, in the 40s, most prominent among them were Dhaka Wanderers, Victoria SC, Wari Club, Mohammedan SC, EP Gymkhana, Railways, and Fire service. Match between East Pakistan Governors XI vs. West Bengal XI was held at Dhaka in the late forties. The first Dhaka League
Dhaka League
Dhaka League is the premier regional football league in Bangladesh played by clubs in Dhaka. Until 2000, it was the top-tier league of the country.-History:...
was won by Bangladeshi Victoria SC in 1948, three years prior to the Mother Language Movement
Language Movement
The Bengali Language Movement, also known as the Language Movement , was a political effort in Bangladesh , advocating the recognition of the Bengali language as an official language of Pakistan...
when still under Pakistani rule. Football was played both in the domestic leagues and abroad. Bangladeshi clubs such as BKSP and Bangladesh Red played with success in international football tournaments like Aga Khan Gold Cup, President Gold Cup, Dana Cup
Dana Cup
The Dana Cup, one of the world's largest football tournaments, takes place every year in the North Jutland town of Hjørring in Denmark at the end of July. In 2008 there were over 25,000 participants from all around the world...
and Gothia Cup
Gothia Cup
Gothia Cup is a youth association football tournament held annually in Gothenburg, Sweden, open for both boys and girls of ages 11 to 19 years. With regards to the number of participants, it is the world's largest football tournament: in 2011, a total of 35,200 players from 1567 teams and 72...
. BKSP won the later two in 1990 while Bangladesh Red were runners-up in the first President Gold Cup in 1981 and won it in 1989. Except that, Bangladeshi clubs bagged three more titles abroad: Quaid-E-Azam Trophy of Pakistan in 1985, Four-nation invitational tournament of Myanmar in 1995 and Jigme Dorji Wangchuk Memorial Football of Bhutan in 2003.
Bangladesh’s best player of all times is Kazi Salahuddin
Kazi Salahuddin
Kazi Salahuddin is a Bangladeshi former football player. He was a member of the Swadhin Bangla Football Dal, the team which played across India to raise funds during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971...
, who played professional football in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
in 1979 and is now president of the BFF
Bangladesh Football Federation
The Bangladesh Football Federation or BFF is the governing body of football in Bangladesh. It controls the country's men's, women's and youth national teams and oversees all aspects of the country's football....
.
After BFF
Bangladesh Football Federation
The Bangladesh Football Federation or BFF is the governing body of football in Bangladesh. It controls the country's men's, women's and youth national teams and oversees all aspects of the country's football....
’s establishment in 1972 the national team played their first international against Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
in the 1973 Merdeka tournament in Malaysia. After its membership with FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
in 1974 and the Asian Football Confederation
Asian Football Confederation
The Asian Football Confederation is the governing body of association football in Asia. It has 46 member countries, mostly located on the Asian continent. However, due to the disputed boundary of Europe and Asia, nations such as Russia and Turkey which are located mostly in geographic Asia are...
(AFC), the national team participated in the 1980 AFC Asian Cup
1980 AFC Asian Cup
The 1980 AFC Asian Cup was the seventh edition of the Asian Nations Cup, the football championship of Asia . It was hosted by Kuwait between September 15 and 30. The field of ten teams was split into two groups of five. Kuwait won their first championship, beating Korea Republic in the final 3-0....
finals and the 1986 FIFA World Cup
1986 FIFA World Cup
The 1986 FIFA World Cup, the 13th FIFA World Cup, was held in Mexico from 31 May to 29 June. The tournament was the second to feature a 24-team format. Colombia had been originally chosen to host the competition by FIFA but, largely due to economic reasons, was not able to do so and officially...
qualifiers. But the nation’s best results came at South Asian level where it won the SAFF Championship
SAFF Championship
The SAFF Championship, also called the South Asian Football Federation Cup , is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by the South Asian Football Federation. Previous names have included the South Asian Association of Regional Co-operation Gold Cup in 1993 and...
once and were gold medalists in South Asian Games twice.
Recent ten years saw a series of changes in national head coaches and many famous coaches like the Austrian György Kottán
György Kottán
George Kottan is a Hungarian-Austrian football manager and former footballer.-Playing career:Kottan played as a midfielder and started his career at MTK Hungária FC in the 1962-63 season...
and German Otto Pfister
Otto Pfister
Otto Pfister is a German football manager, and one of Germany's most successful coaching exports, voted Africa's Manager of the Year in 1992. He has been to four African Cup of Nations competitions with Upper Volta , Zaire, Cameroon and Ghana) and reached the African Cup of Nations final twice,...
, who coached Ivory Coast to their first FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
finals in 2006. Not giving enough time to coaches might be one the reasons behind the country’s degrading football.
However in 2006 Bangladesh reached the quarterfinals of AFC Challenge Cup under Argentine coach Andres Cruciani
Andres Cruciani
Diego Andrés Cruciani is an Argentine football coach.-Career:The Defender played in his career for Juventud, Sarmiento, Bella Vista, Estudiantes and Club Cipolletti before he retired after an knee injury in summer 1985....
and in 2010 Bangladesh won the 11th South Asian Games on home soil under the Serbian Zoran Djordjevic, who left in February the same year.
The Federation
Main article: Bangladesh Football FederationBangladesh Football Federation
The Bangladesh Football Federation or BFF is the governing body of football in Bangladesh. It controls the country's men's, women's and youth national teams and oversees all aspects of the country's football....
The Bangladesh Football Federation
Bangladesh Football Federation
The Bangladesh Football Federation or BFF is the governing body of football in Bangladesh. It controls the country's men's, women's and youth national teams and oversees all aspects of the country's football....
(BFF) was established on 15 July 1972 and has been a member of the FIFA since 1974 and of AFC in 1973. The federation is responsible for organising all club championships and the professional league. It is currently working with AFC’s Vision Asia programme to improve the domestic football infrastructure.
The BFF
Bangladesh Football Federation
The Bangladesh Football Federation or BFF is the governing body of football in Bangladesh. It controls the country's men's, women's and youth national teams and oversees all aspects of the country's football....
is presided by Kazi Salahuddin
Kazi Salahuddin
Kazi Salahuddin is a Bangladeshi former football player. He was a member of the Swadhin Bangla Football Dal, the team which played across India to raise funds during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971...
since April 2008.
Women's Football
In a country whose population is predominantly Muslim and there is some resistance towards women’s football. The women’s game has struggled to gain a foothold in Bangladesh in the past and many tournaments dedicated to women have failed. Women's football finally saw light in Bangladesh when the first ever women's football tournament was staged under the Vision Asia programme in November 2007. Eight teams especially from different district's all over the country took part in the tournament and made it a success amidst security threats.In October 2008, first women's school football tournament was held under the Vision Bangladesh programme with BFF
Bangladesh Football Federation
The Bangladesh Football Federation or BFF is the governing body of football in Bangladesh. It controls the country's men's, women's and youth national teams and oversees all aspects of the country's football....
hopeful of continuing and developing the women's game in the country.
Women's football was included in the South Asian Games 2010
2010 South Asian Games
The 2010 South Asian Games, officially the XI South Asian Games, was a major multi-sport event that took place from January 29 to February 8, 2010 in Dhaka, Bangladesh...
hosted in Dhaka while the first Women's SAFF Championship is to be held in December in the country. Bangladesh had their first team
Bangladesh women's national football team
The Bangladesh women's national football team is the women's national association football team of Bangladesh controlled by the Bangladesh Football Federation under the supervision of the women's football committee...
in the AFC U-19 Women's Championship
AFC U-19 Women's Championship
The AFC U-19 Women's Championship is association football tournament for youth teams, that is held every two years, and serves as a qualifying competition for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship.-Results:-Successful national teams:...
qualifiers with India
India women's national football team
The India women's national football team is controlled by the All India Football Federation and represents India in women's international football competitions. The women's football scene didn't have the same chance to spread as the mens' game did, and thus the team struggles to keep up with more...
, Jordan
Jordan women's national football team
-World Cup record:-Performance in Summer Olympics:*2008 : Withdrew from qualification*2012 : Did not qualify-AFC Women's Asian Cup record:-Asian Games:*2006 : preliminary round*2010 : preliminary round...
and Iran
Iran women's national football team
The Iran women's national football team represents Iran in international women's football, and is controlled by Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation...
in their group.
Former Players
- Kazi SalahuddinKazi SalahuddinKazi Salahuddin is a Bangladeshi former football player. He was a member of the Swadhin Bangla Football Dal, the team which played across India to raise funds during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971...
- Salam Murshedi
- Ashrafuddin Chunnu
- Shahidur Rahman Shantu
- Abdul Karim Rahman Tajmul
- Jahidul Islam
- Imran Ahmed Abedin
- Hamzah Uddin Haque
- Sheikh AslamSheikh AslamMohammad Aslam , popularly known as Aslam, is a former Bangladeshi footballer. He played as a specialist striker and was one of the most lethal marksmen in the Dhaka domestic league during the 1980s and 1990s. He gained his greatest fame while playing for Abahani Krira Chakra, one of Dhaka's two...
- Sayeed Hassan KananSayeed Hassan KananSayeed Hassan Kanan is a former Bangladeshi footballer. He played as a goalkeeper for leading Dhaka club Mohammedan Sporting Club during the 1980s and 1990s. At his peak, he was the finest goalkeeper in the country, and he represented Bangladesh at the national level numerous times. Since his...
- Yazid Miah Choudhury
- Syed Abdus Samad
- Kaiser HamidKaiser HamidKaiser Hamid is a Bangladeshi soccer player. He gained fame in the 1980s and 1990s as a central defender for Mohammedan Sporting Club in Dhaka's domestic league. His imposing height and mass of curly hair made him instantly recognizable on the soccer pitch, and he was a darling of Mohammedan fans...
- Arif Khan Joy
- Sam Warren
Star Players
- Aminul Haque (Mohammedan SC)
- Mohammed Waly Faisal(Abahani LimitedAbahani Limited (Dhaka)Abahani Limited is a sports club in Bangladesh. It was established at Dhaka in 1972 through reorganisation of Iqbal Sporting Club. Within a short time, the club gained fame through commendable performances in hockey, cricket and football tournaments.Abahani introduced junior coaching camps on its...
) - Rajanti Kanta Barman (Muktijoddha SKSMuktijoddha Sangsad KSMuktijoddha Sangsad KS is a football club in Bangladesh. It is based in Dhaka, Bangladesh.-Performance in AFC competitions:* Asian Club Championship: 2 appearances-External links:* *...
) - Aziz Al-Arman (Muktijoddha SKSMuktijoddha Sangsad KSMuktijoddha Sangsad KS is a football club in Bangladesh. It is based in Dhaka, Bangladesh.-Performance in AFC competitions:* Asian Club Championship: 2 appearances-External links:* *...
) - Hassan Al Mamun (Muktijoddha SKSMuktijoddha Sangsad KSMuktijoddha Sangsad KS is a football club in Bangladesh. It is based in Dhaka, Bangladesh.-Performance in AFC competitions:* Asian Club Championship: 2 appearances-External links:* *...
) - Jahid Hasan EmilyMohamed Jahid Hasan EmilyMohamed Zahid Hossain Ameli is a Bangladeshi international footballer who plays as a striker for Mohammedan Sporting Club and the Bangladesh national football team....
(Abahani LimitedAbahani Limited (Dhaka)Abahani Limited is a sports club in Bangladesh. It was established at Dhaka in 1972 through reorganisation of Iqbal Sporting Club. Within a short time, the club gained fame through commendable performances in hockey, cricket and football tournaments.Abahani introduced junior coaching camps on its...
)
Clubs, Leagues and Championships
For more details on this topic, see List of football clubs in BangladeshClubs
Successful ones among earlier clubs are BKSP and Dhaka Wanderers, Victoria SC, Wari Club, East Pakistan Gymkhana and Azad SCAmong a total of 4100 clubs , the most renowned clubs today are namely Abahani Limited
Abahani Limited (Dhaka)
Abahani Limited is a sports club in Bangladesh. It was established at Dhaka in 1972 through reorganisation of Iqbal Sporting Club. Within a short time, the club gained fame through commendable performances in hockey, cricket and football tournaments.Abahani introduced junior coaching camps on its...
, Mohammedan SC, Muktijoddha SKS
Muktijoddha Sangsad KS
Muktijoddha Sangsad KS is a football club in Bangladesh. It is based in Dhaka, Bangladesh.-Performance in AFC competitions:* Asian Club Championship: 2 appearances-External links:* *...
, Brothers Union
Brothers Union
Brothers Union is a football club in Bangladesh. It is based in Dhaka, Bangladesh.-Achievements:*National Championship: 1*Premier Division League: 2*Bangladesh Federation Cup: 3-Performance in AFC competitions:...
and Sheikh Russel KC
Sheikh Russel KC
Sheikh Russel KC is a football team from Dhaka, Bangladesh playing in the Bangladesh Professional Football League.- Current Squad :...
.
Domestic Tournaments
- Bangladesh League, formerly known as B.League, is the national pro league and the top-tier league in Bangladeshi football. Before that, the Dhaka LeagueDhaka LeagueDhaka League is the premier regional football league in Bangladesh played by clubs in Dhaka. Until 2000, it was the top-tier league of the country.-History:...
was the most renowned and top-tier football league. - National Football Championship is the second-tier football league replaced by the pro league in 2007 as the top-tier league.
- Federation CupBangladesh Federation CupThe Federation Cup is Bangladesh's premier knockout competition in men's association football. The competition started in 1980 and is run by the Bangladesh Football Federation which is responsible for all types of competitive matches in the country...
is the top national cup competition. - Super Cup is highest budgeted football tournament organised by BFFBangladesh Football FederationThe Bangladesh Football Federation or BFF is the governing body of football in Bangladesh. It controls the country's men's, women's and youth national teams and oversees all aspects of the country's football....
.
Other regional leagues include the Chittagong League, Rajshahi League, Cox's Bazar League and the Comilla League.
International Tournaments
- SAFF ChampionshipSAFF ChampionshipThe SAFF Championship, also called the South Asian Football Federation Cup , is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by the South Asian Football Federation. Previous names have included the South Asian Association of Regional Co-operation Gold Cup in 1993 and...
- AFC Challenge CupAFC Challenge CupThe AFC Challenge Cup is an international football competition for emerging nations that are members of the Asian Football Confederation. The first tournament was hosted by Bangladesh in 2006...
- South Asian Games
- AFC President's CupAFC President's CupThe AFC President's Cup is an annual international association football competition between domestic clubs sides run by the Asian Football Confederation .-Competition format:...
(club)
FIFA's Goal Programme
"On March 4 2002, the Goal Bureau approved the construction of the headquarters for the national association and technical centre in Dhaka. The new building with modern facilities, including accommodations, a library and an archive will help the national association to efficiently handle day-to-day operations, plan new programmes and coordinate the playing calendar while also taking care of range of other activities. Players from various national teams can be accommodated at the technical centre during training and preparation camps. The library and archives containing books, historic documents, newspapers and magazines are open to public. The complex therefore also serves as a meeting point for the extended football family in Bangladesh. Funds from GoalGoal
A goal is an objective, or a projected computation of affairs, that a person or a system plans or intends to achieve.Goal, GOAL or G.O.A.L may also refer to:Sport...
and the FIFA Financial Assistance Programme paid for the facilities to be built on land donated by the government", stated by FIFA's first Goal project.
Popularity, Fanship and Media
As mentioned at the beginning football is very popular in Bangladesh but the federation failed to use this popularity in the development of the sport’s infrastructure. Football tournaments of all kinds are played all over Bangladesh. Since the first broadcast of FIFA World Cup finals in Bangladesh, the people celebrate the tradition of hoisting national flags of teams they support in the World Cup. Recent times have seen the increasing popularity of the tournament in the nation’s media and an increase in the sell of favourite teams’ jerseys and flags and watching matches live on big screen in the locality or on television at home. The scene of locals attending their favourite clubs’ matches and cheering in the gallery is quite rarer than in the past but a high voltage clash between arch-rivals Abahani Limited and Mohammedan SC is still a match to watch for. The recent popularity of European club football leagues such as English Premier League or the Spanish La Liga is the key craze for football in urban areas.In 2009 Bangladesh’s first sports movie Jaago which gained much appreciation and popularity was produced to promote football in the country. There are many blogs and websites developing in the recent years to provide news and discussion on the country’s football.
See Also
- Bangladesh national football teamBangladesh national football teamThe Bangladesh national football team is the national team of Bangladesh controlled by the Bangladesh Football Federation. It is a member of the Asian Football Confederation and has yet to qualify for the World Cup finals...
- Bangladesh Football FederationBangladesh Football FederationThe Bangladesh Football Federation or BFF is the governing body of football in Bangladesh. It controls the country's men's, women's and youth national teams and oversees all aspects of the country's football....
- Dhaka LeagueDhaka LeagueDhaka League is the premier regional football league in Bangladesh played by clubs in Dhaka. Until 2000, it was the top-tier league of the country.-History:...
- Kazi SalahuddinKazi SalahuddinKazi Salahuddin is a Bangladeshi former football player. He was a member of the Swadhin Bangla Football Dal, the team which played across India to raise funds during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971...