Considering the larger interest of football, the National Sports Council has allocated eight district-level stadiums in the country in favor of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF). The BFF will be able to use these stadiums for 25 years. National Sports Council Director Krira Amimul Ehsan has written a letter to the BFF General Secretary in this regard.
Youth and Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan had earlier announced the allocation of Nilphamari Stadium for football. On September 4, the National Sports Council allocated Nilphamari Stadium for 25 years in a formal letter to the Bangladesh Football Federation. On September 9, the National Sports Council granted leases to the Bangladesh Football Federation for Shaheed Barkat Stadium in Gazipur, Mymensingh District Stadium, Bir Shrestha Shaheed Lt. Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj, Muktijuddho Smriti Stadium in Rajshahi, Shaheed Bhulu Stadium in Noakhali, Bir Shrestha Ruhul Amin Stadium in Cox’s Bazar and Sylhet District Stadium for 25 years.
The maintenance, electricity bills and land tax of the allocated stadiums will have to be paid by the Bangladesh Football Federation. The income and expenditure accounts will have to be submitted to the National Sports Council. The lease of the Bangladesh Football Federation will have to be maintained by following the conditions of the National Sports Council. The letter states that the National Sports Council has the authority to cancel the lease with a 3-month notice.
BFF wants to develop the stadium through FIFA-AFC funding. FIFA-AFC will not finance BFF unless it has direct ownership or rights for 25 years. Therefore, BFF wanted the National Sports Council to make the lease period more than two decades. The National Sports Council took this decision considering the development and interests of football.
The NSC allocated the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong to BFF for 25 years. In view of the protests of local athletes and organizers, BFF has not yet been able to properly understand that stadium. The question remains as to when it will be able to truly understand the eight newly acquired stadiums. In addition to football, district sports organizations organize various sports including hockey, kabaddi, athletics, volleyball, kho kho in the district stadiums. If football gets the rights to the stadiums alone, other sports in those districts may face a crisis.
FAQ
How many stadiums has the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) secured?
The BFF has secured rights to use eight district-level stadiums for 25 years.
Which stadiums have been allocated to the BFF?
The allocated stadiums include Nilphamari Stadium, Gazipur Shaheed Barkat Stadium, Mymensingh District Stadium, Munshiganj’s Matiur Rahman Stadium, Rajshahi’s Muktijuddho Smriti Stadium, Noakhali’s Shaheed Bhulu Stadium, Cox’s Bazar’s Ruhul Amin Stadium, and Sylhet District Stadium.
Who made this decision to lease the stadiums?
The National Sports Council (NSC) made the decision and issued formal letters to the BFF.
What responsibilities does BFF have under the lease?
The BFF must handle maintenance, electricity bills, land tax, and submit income-expenditure accounts to the NSC.