Mominul set to retain hockey’s secretary post

Following a mutual understanding among organisers at club level and at district and divisional level, Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BFF) is all set to get a new executive committee unopposed for the next four years.

Though some 63 nomination papers were sold against 28 posts -- five vice presidents, one general secretary, two joint secretaries, one treasurer and 19 members -- only 28 nomination papers were submitted today against 28 posts. AKM Mominul Haque Shaeed is set to retain the post of general secretary as former national player Sajed A Adel failed to become a councilor of the federation allegedly due to Shaeed not allowing Adel to place his complaints before the BHF Election commission.

"No additional nomination papers were submitted against 28 posts. If no nomination papers are canceled during scrutiny, then 28 candidates are expected to be elected unopposed," returning officer Kabirul Islam told The Daily Star over phone.

In past BHF polls created huge disagreement among organisers, forcing them to compete from two separate panels or boycott the polls. However, this time a consensus panel has been formed following a compromise among all parties, especially between the club organsiers and district organisers.

As per the consensus, the club organisers will hold 18 out of 28 posts while district organisers will take 10 posts including that of one vice-president. The probable new executive committee will see some new faces including former national hockey players - Mahbubul Ehasan Rana and Ariful Haque Prince, who are set to be two joint secretaries.

"We have formed a talented list [of organisers] by keeping a big plan ahead and we submitted that list. I believe that this committee is the most important committee in the history of the hockey federation and there is no disagreement regarding this committee. We have gotten together in a bid to take the country's hockey ahead," incumbent general secretary Shaeed told reporters.

Shaeed fled the country in late 2019 following his alleged involvement in the casino scandal but came back a few months ago to take responsibility of the federation as general secretary.