Manilal Promises More Funds

Manilal Fernando, the FIFA development officer for Asia, promised another $6.5 lakh (Tk 4.5 crore) for construction of a football training centre Cox’s Bazar and an academy at Savar. He also has assured that the fund of $2.5 allocated earlier for the construction of a training centre in Barisal would not be cancelled.

Manilal who came to Dhaka on a one-day visit on Wednesday night, revealed these at a press briefing at BFF House on Thursday after a meeting with the BFF officials in the morning. Manilal, also the vice-president of the Asian Football Confederation, also had a meeting with the chairman of the National Sports Council and Chief of Army Staff, General Moeen U Ahmed, at his Dhaka cantonment office in the afternoon which in his words was ‘fruitful and productive’. He said, ‘I have to say the meeting with General Moeen was very fruitful and productive, I was impressed by his sporting spirit, we had a threadbare discussion on various issues and the meting ended with a note of confidence.’

Manilal was happy over the acquisition of land for the Barisal football academy and instructed the BFF to spend the entire $2.5 lakh on the project. General Moeen asked for some changes in the plans of the project and the FIFA official agreed to implement it. Under the FIFA goal project 2 an artificial turf will be installed in the Arambagh area adjacent to the BFF House. The allocation of $4 lakh for the football centre will be diverted to this project. The artificial turf will have lighting facilities so that it can be used at night also.

Manilal said the NSC chief assured him that the documents of the land will be handed over to the BFF so that the project can be started immediately. ‘Presently all the FIFA junior tournaments are played on the artificial turfs and it can provide more opportunities for youngster to get accustomed to modern football. ‘It can be easily maintained and good for the rising players,’ said Manilal. Manilal assured that as soon as the BFF and the government finalise the requisition of the land in Cox’s Bazar the same amount of money will be provided from the FIFA fund. ‘I proposed for the establishment of the BFF football academy at Savar near the BKSP so that the best facilities can be used by both the organizations. It will be done under FIFA goal project-3 and the required fund will be forthcoming once the land is requisitioned,’ he added.

Although he came to Dhaka to review the FIFA projects, Manilal came to know about the latest development in the BFF elections. ‘I will inform FIFA about all the developments. The FIFA and AFC always seek government support for the development of football, I think the complicacies can be resolved,’ Manilal concluded. However, he admitted after his presentation of all the facts to the FIFA it can defer the elections with a view to wiping out any complicacies to ensure a free and fair BFF polls.