BFF Officials Meet FIFA President in Dhaka
Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) President Tabith Awal and four vice-presidents held a courtesy meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. The meeting took place during Mr. Infantino’s brief transit in Dhaka while travelling from Morocco to Bhutan. During the hour-long discussion, BFF officials highlighted various issues related to the development of football in Bangladesh.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Mr. Tabith said the discussions were highly productive and focused on football infrastructure, funding under FIFA’s Forward Programme and the progress of grassroots football in Bangladesh. The main focus was the proper use of funds under FIFA’s Forward Programme that have remained stalled.
Mr. Tabith said Mr. Infantino showed great interest in two government initiatives aimed at developing football in Bangladesh. The first involves introducing solar power and other renewable energy sources at stadiums. The second is a plan to make football and other sports compulsory in schools from Class Four starting next year.
The meeting also discussed organising more international matches to attract expatriate Bangladeshis living in the United Kingdom, Italy, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia to football grounds. Mr. Infantino departed for Thimphu at 2:50pm and is scheduled to spend two days in Bhutan. After the visit, he will make another brief transit in Dhaka while travelling to Tokyo to attend the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Congress. On that occasion, he will travel directly from the airport to Tokyo on a connecting flight.
Source: BSS
