Dhaka, November 14: Bangladesh Football Federation's football academy came into reality with the inauguration ceremony at the Sylhet BKSP on Thursday.

It was a high-profile ceremony indeed as no less than five ministers and a number of MP's were present on the podium to see the academy coming to life after December 2011 when the National Sports Council signed the MOU of handing it over to BFF. Finance minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith inaugurated the academy as the chief guest. Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed, state minister of finance Abdul Mannan, state minister for youth and sports Biren Sikder and deputy minister for youth and sports Arif Khan Joy were present on the occasion. BFF senior vice president Abdus Salam Murshedy, vice presidents Kazi Nabil and Badal Roy were also present on the occasion. 

BFF president Kazi Salahuddin started the proceedings with a touchy speech. “Football is the 8th largest economy in the world and 209 countries compete for attaining higher standards, BFF does not possess the financial ability to run the development projects, We need Tk. 40 million per annum to run the academy, we have no budget, I urge the government and all the other concerned sectors to assist football” urged Salahuddin. 

“You cant proceed if you dont have a vision, in 1969 Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman called for the independence and within two years the country grabbed the independence, in a country of 160 million why cant we go ahead when the other countries with less people are surging forward, Holland with 16 million has turn out of 1 billion dollars from football, I am confident that the assist program will not be a long term one, within four or five years we can pay back ” said Salahuddin.

Tofail Ahmed urged the finance minister to respond to the urge of BFF. “If the football team bring laurels it consequentially enhances the countries image, I have every belief that football can go higher and government can help the cause, I recommend BFF can get an incentive 200 million (20 crore) for the development of the game so that BFF can expand the game across the country” said the commerce minister.

The finance minister agreed to respond positively. “Football is the popular game of the country and it was revealed during the past few months, Salahuddin sought the BKSP field to me about five years ago I instantly agreed, now with the inauguration I feel very happy, BFF has asked to assist them, I cant assure that we will provide it full but I can assure that this academy is not a BFF concern only it is a national concern and the government will provide all possible support to it” said Muhith.

Meanwhile Fifa, the ruling body of world football declared to set an artificial turf in the newly built BFF football academy on Thursday.

The turf will worth Tk. 120 million and Shaji Prabhakaran said the process will start in May next subject to a fruitful terms and conditional conclusion with the government . “We are happy to see the academy running and it is tough to run all the training activities without an artificial turf. We believe that with the installation of an artificial turf the players will get the oppurtunity of improved and advanced training” concluded the Fifa development officer.