Tarafdar Ruhul Amin announces candidacy for BFF presidency

Just 24 hours after Kazi Salahuddin announced he would not run for the president position in the upcoming Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) elections, businessman Tarafdar Ruhul Amin stepped into the scene. This afternoon, at a press conference held at a five-star hotel in Dhaka, Tarafdar officially announced his candidacy for the BFF presidency.

During the last election, he did not file his candidacy, though he has never publicly explained why. There are rumours that he faced various pressures, which prevented him from running. For a long time, he remained silent on whether he would run in the upcoming election, but today, he officially confirmed his candidacy.

Behind the stage at the press conference was a banner reading, “Announcing Candidacy for Bangladesh Football Federation Election 2024, Presidential Candidate Based on Consensus.” Tarafdar was on stage, accompanied by former footballer Syed Rumman Bin Wali Sabbir, divisional leader Abdullah Fuad, former footballer Shafiqul Islam Manik, and several others.

The announcement was first made by Ali Imam Tapan, a BNP leader from Tangail and the former general secretary of the Athletics Federation. He stated, “On behalf of all the districts and divisions of Bangladesh, we are announcing the candidacy of Tarafdar Ruhul Amin for the BFF presidency.” Soon after, Tarafdar Ruhul Amin took the microphone and said, “I gladly accept this announcement.”

Claiming that “the passion for football in the country has disappeared since 2008” and that “football has hit rock bottom,” Tarafdar added, “It’s become so bad that it’s hard to turn things around. There’s no football structure; we’ve reduced football to a table sport.”

Criticising those who have run BFF, he claimed they had neglected their duties and disrespected the passion of the people. He also noted, “Since 2015-16, we’ve done a lot for football. Under the banner of Saif Powertech, we organised district leagues and provided many players, even under difficult circumstances. But the football federation never wanted us involved in football. The way football has been progressing is wrong. We’ve made a mockery of football. We’ve played with the emotions of Bengalis, and it’s been disgraceful.”

Regarding his previous efforts, Tarafdar said, “When I tried to move forward with a panel in 2020, they conspired against me. My business was harmed, and I couldn’t stay in the country. Saif Powertech suffered, and Saif Sporting Club had to shut down.”

Though Tarafdar’s panel has not yet been finalised, he has promised to focus on the development of football nationwide if elected. He has also pledged to take football beyond air-conditioned rooms and spread it throughout the country. He stated that if he wins, he will introduce franchise football, adding, “There’s no trust in BFF. Sponsors don’t come. Funds are misused. The SNC-FIFA money wasn’t used properly. The FIFA suspended the BFF general secretary due to financial irregularities, and fined the senior vice president. It’s shameful.”

Among the audience were BNP’s Sports Secretary and former national team captain Aminul Haque, BNP leader Khairul Kabir Khokon, former national team striker Enamul Haque, and some players nearing the end of their careers, such as Mamunul Islam.