New sports adviser pushes for mass football, BKSP overhaul

Dr Asif Nazrul is taking on the Youth and Sports Ministry duties along with his other roles. He started with a meeting at the National Sports Council, gathering officials from over ten national federations to hear their issues and expectations. The meeting lasted almost an hour.

A law professor and noted football fan, Dr Nazrul pushed for practical plans. He expressed disappointment with the Bangladesh Football Federation’s presentation, asking for more mature ideas. He proposed a new sixteen-team district-based Super League and told the BFF to submit a formal proposal within three days.

With only about two months before the national election, he emphasized using his short tenure seriously. He wants to focus on popular sports for the masses, not just elitism. Key priorities include elevating the BKSP sports school to an international standard and launching special talent projects in the Chattogram Hill Tracts to develop indigenous athletes.

He noted that SA Games allowance issues are now resolved. Bangladesh Cricket Board President Aminul Islam Bulbul reacted positively, saying the new adviser’s different working style intends to continue previous initiatives.