Dhaka, February 6:The Bangladesh Football Federation launched the third phase of its comprehensive development under BFF president, Kazi Salahuddin, fully appreciative of the fact that the level of the game cannot be lifted overnight.

The new phase beginning 2017, builds on the previous phases, which began in 2008.

Elected as president in 2008, a star performer and former national captain, Salahuddin initiated farsighted plans. He immediately launched long term tier-based development programmes.

Before 2008, there were no organised domestic or professional league structures in Bangladesh.

However, during the first two phases(2008-2016), comprehensive domestic leagues and two tier professional leagues were established.

The federation is poised on the threshold of success in both local and international arenas. At the crux of its development has been the BFF motto ‘competition drives development’ of the first two phases which led numerous opportunities for the players. The national men’s and women’s team played more matches than ever before during these eight years.

These elite footballers played regularly for clubs and had the opportunity to test their skills in the right places. Previously, the players were not under structured guidelines and had limited opportunities to train and improve. But they were placed in residency camps during phases 1 and 2 where their skills improved markedly.

The women footballers also received unprecedented support since 2008. Earlier, women’s football activities were limited and women footballers were scarce. But the national women’s team and age level girls’ teams have seen a surge of potential players from all over the country once BFF’s long term-term development plans culminated in divisional tournaments for aspiring women booters in 2012.

First class training and development programmes, including better incentives for younger players have resulted in hugely successful ventures for the women’s team. For the first time ever, Bangladesh come out as runners-up of the SAFF women’s championship.

The U16 women’s team has also shown promises of much potential and future success, as the young booters secured a place in the AFC U16 Women’s Championship for the first time with an unbeaten record in the group tages in 2016. They are also the driving force of the national women’s team, and the federation aims to continue age group development through residency programmes that have proven effective for the U16 girls.

The senior men’s team has also received substantial support in the last eight years. The BFF president secured long-term sponsors for the team and players have received greater financial support than ever before.

Stewarded by a more resolute federation, the club competitions were brought under a routine structure where elite players could play on a regular basis. With support from the federation, the clubs brought in experienced coaches and tutors, which benefited the players substantially. The top-tier clubs now have international recognition and the locals get regular opportunities to play alongside skilled foreigners. Following the development model of Japan, Germany, Iceland, South Korea and China, phases 1 and 2 had also emphasised on club football.

School competitions are soon to begin and clubs have been asked to establish fully functional youth development programmes with top-tier coaches and teachers for young age-group players.

The BFF has also improved football infrastructure. Artificial turfs and full-fledged football stadiums have been refurbished and maintained since 2008. The players now get to play football on standard football grounds, which help them cope with the pressure at the international stage.

Housing facilities for the national players have also been improved, which was instrumental in housing the players for residency camps.

The lessons of the first phases will surely help run the third phase all the more smoothly with positive changes.