Abahani limited: pioneer of modern sports in BD

‘Abahani’ is a well known name in the Bangladeshi sports world. Today Abahani is a large, very popular sports club. They have a huge number of fans, supporters, and well-wishers spread all over the country. Abahani didn’t take long to put themselves into that position. They earned the glory and the honor in an amazingly short period of time. It was possible by displaying their quality, highly skilled and magical performances on the field; and of course, it was all about soccer. Abahani is the founder of modern soccer in Bangladesh. They have always been a very strong side in every soccer tournament. They are one of the two giants in the country’s sporting arena. They have gained the same prestigious positions in cricket and hockey as well. “Abahani Limited” used to be known to people as “Abahani Krira Chakra”, and before that, it was called “Abahani social welfare co-operative”.

Abahani was not the result of any long term plan. However, Abahani formulated a number of long term plans and brought them to fruition as a part of their contribution to the country’s sports. That is the basic structure of today’s Abahani Limited. Abahani’s birth was prompted by an individual instance. Forty one years ago, in 1966, the former Pakistan Government suddenly decided to use the playground next to 22 Dhanmondi (today’s Abahani field) in Dhaka city for residential buildings. Local students, teenagers, and young players had been using this ground for everyday practice and other activities for a long time. This playground meant a lot to them. They all stood united against the Government’s decision. At a certain point, young student political leaders encouraged the protesters and eventually got involved into the protests, too. The whole thing turned into a social movement. Finally, the Government had to step back from their plan under this pressure. That’s how the playground stayed as it was and became Abahani field later on.

After this movement, it was necessary and demanded by the time to form an organization to hold the unity among everyone. That’s how “Abahani social welfare co-operative” began. Literature, culture, and sports – these were the three major sections that Abahani started with. Abahani’s victory over the Pakistan Govt. caught the eyes of the political leaders. Harun ur Rashid (the general secretary of the club later and now one of the directors), one of the protesters, personally knew Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Bangabandhu very often gave advice and guidelines to carry this club toward a bright future. Sheikh Kamal and Sheikh Jamal, two sons of Bangabandhu, got involved with Abahani at this point. With Kamal’s true affection to sports and Bangabandhu’s proper guidance, Abahani got a new life. At Kamal’s suggestion, Abahani arranged a cricket tournament in honor of Tofazzal Hossain (Manik Mia) [founder editor of the daily ittefaq]. This was their first tournament. It was before the Bangladesh liberation war. The liberation war took place at the end of that tournament. A number of brave hearted Abahani club members including Sheikh Kamal, joined the battle of liberation in 1971.

Abahani started their journey again after the glory of independence. Since Abahani was starting to focus exclusively on its various sporting activities, Kamal proposed to reform Abahani as a sports club. Everyone else agreed with him. That’s how “Abahani Krira Charka” was formed. However, Abahani faced great obstacles to their joining the Dhaka soccer league. By the rules and regulations, any team who wants to participate in the league, has to qualify by playing and winning third and second division soccer leagues. Abahani did not have any experience playing either of these leagues, but this was not enough to stop them. Abahani found a good way out. There used to be a non-bengali club, called “Iqbal Sporting Club” in Mohammadpur. Most of the officials of this club were involved in anti-Bangladesh activities during the war. Therefore, after independence almost all of their executives were gone. Iqbal sporting club had only a few Bengali officials and clerks, but they helped and played effective roles when the Abahani and Iqbal sporting clubs were unified. After that there were no more worries about Abahani’s enlistment in the league. In a similar way Abahani started hockey and cricket too. The “Ispahani sect” officially proposed that Abahani manage and direct their hockey and cricket club under Abahani’s name. Abahani officials accepted their offer. That was a good turn in Abahani’s journey. After getting their chances in the three major sports, Abahani tent in Dhanmondi was full of happiness.

Abahani wanted their players to be confident about their paychecks. They offered a generous amount of money to the players. They wanted the players to take sports as a profession, not just entertainment. That’s why Abahani had kick starts in all of the three (soccer, cricket, hockey) major leagues when they started. They had a good collection of talented and skillful players on their teams. Therefore, they were able to get the desired result. In 1973 they were runners-up in the soccer league and held third position in hockey. Next season, in 1974 Abahani was champion in all three leagues, which really brought them into the front row. After that, Abahani did not have to look back any more. Abahani has made great contributions in modernizing Bangladeshi sports. Abahani presented and introduced a number of new ideas and styles into our country’s sports. It enriched Bangladeshi sport’s glamour. Foreign players have been playing in the Dhaka soccer league for decades, but Abahani tried something different. They began hiring players who performed in FIFA world cup soccer. Other big clubs in Dhaka could not do this before Abahani did. In 1987, Abahani surprised everyone by hiring Karim Mohammad and Samir Shakir. They were from the Iraqi national soccer team which played in the world cup. Also Sri Lankan Layones Pirich, Pakir Ali, Prem Lal, Najar Ali, Russian Sergi Moiechiv… played in Dhaka Abahani for several seasons. Later on, Samir Shakir even coached the Abahani soccer team.

Also, in Bangladeshi cricket, foreign players used to mean sub-continental players only. Abahani broke this cycle in 1993-94 when English national cricket team member Neil Fairbrother and Ellingworth came to Dhaka to play for Abahani. Another English national player, Defrites played on the Dhaka Abahani cricket team also. The list of star players that played in Dhaka Abahani is quite long. Pakistani Wasim Akram, Basit Ali, Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hossen, Iqbal Sekander, Naved Anjum, Jahoor Elahi; Sri Lankan Delip Mendis, Ashoka de Silva, Samara Sefera; Indian Romon Lamba, Ajay Jadeja, Arun Lal….a lot of star players in world cricket came to play for Abahani. Abahani is not behind in hockey either. High class standard players like Indian Dhanraj Pellai, Abu Baki; Pakistani Kamar Ibrahim…played in the Dhaka hockey league wearing Abahani’s blue-yellow jersey.

Abahani constantly makes star players for Bangladesh national teams. Talented players like Kazi Salauddin, Asraf Chunnu, Amili, Mohsin, Monem Munna, Rumi, Satyajit Das Rupu, Mamun Joarder, Zakir Hossain, Dhonu, Aslam, Nazrul, Arif Khan Joy… kept the Abahani tent and national team happy all the time. Abahani’s Amlesh Sen is a legend to those who are just starting soccer coaching in Bangladesh. Bangladeshi cricket found promising crickers like Gazi Asraf Lipu, Golam Nowsher Prince, Minhazul Abedin Nannu, Akram Khan, Khaled Masud Pilot, Naimur Rahman Durjoy…from Abahani. All of these men gained respect and made our country’s name brighter in worlds of soccer and cricket.

Abahani has very impressive statistics. There are no domestic tournaments (soccer, cricket, and hockey) where Abahani did not perform and could not win the championship. Abahani is the very first unbeaten champion in Dhaka soccer league history. It’s astonishing that Abahani was also the first to win hat trick championships in all of the three (soccer, cricket, and hockey) different leagues. In the hockey league, it was in the 1974-75, 1975-76, and 1977-78 seasons (there was no league in 1976-77). In cricket, 1984-85, 1985-86, and 1986-87; and in the soccer league, 1984, 1985, and 1986 Abahani won hat trick championships. Later on, they won hat trick hockey championship again in 1987-88, 1988-89, (there was no league in 1989-90) and 1990-91 (jointly champion).

Abahani won a number of international championships and brought respect for our country. In 1989-90, Abahani won the “Nagjee cup” soccer tournament in India, also in 1994 they were unbeaten champions in both “Charms cup”, and “Invitation cup” soccer tournament in Calcutta. Abahani was also champion in the prestigious “BTC club cup tournament” at Dhaka in 1991. The six top ranked soccer clubs from both Bengals (East Bengal, Mohunbagan, Mohamedan from West Bengal and Brothers Union, Mohamedan, Abahani from Bangladesh) had played in this tournament.

In our country, usually a sports club runs on donations from businessmen or by the sponsorship money from Government executives. Abahani is very different from other clubs in this respect. Abahani has found some great hearted sports organizers in their long, progressive journey. People like Salman F Rahman, Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Kazi Shahed Ahmed, Ajan Chowdhury, Pintu, A H M Mostafa Kamal, Harun ur Rashid, Afzalur Rahman Sinha, Ali Asgar Lobi…. they have altruistic love for the Abahani club. They have always helped Abahani to get over any obstacles. Indeed, an infinite amount of love will always remain for our favorite club, Abahani, from fans and supporters all over the world.

BD gets permission to set up nuclear power plant

Bangladesh has got permission from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to set up a nuclear power plant to meet its growing demand of power.

"Bangladesh was in the top of the list of eight developing countries which were approved to set up nuclear power plants," Tapan Chowdhury, adviser to the interim government and head of the energy ministry, told media on sunday.

Indonesia, Malaysia, Egypt, Morocco and some small countries in central Asia got the approval for setting up nuclear reactors.

“We have now got the approval from the organization and already there is an offer from (South) Korea to finance 60 per cent of the project,” he said, without elaborating. Bangladesh is suffering from acute shortage of electricity. The country faces around 2,000 MW shortage of electricity every day and the shortage is being covered through load shedding of electricity.

Last year, violence over power cuts in a northern Bangladesh town (Fulbari) left at least 20 people dead in clashes between police and farmers who had demanded increased power supply for irrigation. The country’s military-backed government, which took over in January after an emergency was imposed and elections cancelled over vote-rigging allegations, has made tackling the power crisis one of its top priorities.

Bangladesh has already attempted to import electricity from India, Nepal and Bhutan, but finally abandoned the idea due to complicacies.

US ambassador says engage political parties in reforms

Outgoing US ambassador Patricia Butenis says she hopes Bangladesh will have a new democratic government by next year and a better climate for foreign investment inflows.

Speaking on a state-run BTV program on friday evening, Butenis cautioned: "We've got a way to go." She said political parties must be allowed a role in the current process of reforming political and electoral institutions.Reforms were a must, she said but warned they wouldn't be possible "without engaging the political parties".

"No one has accused majority of the membership (of a political party) of being corrupt," Butenis said in a recorded interview on "shomoyer kotha" program. Her clear emphasis was on an early lifting of the ban on politics. "Wouldn't it be better to make them partners in this process?" she told interviewer Syed Munir Khasru. "Resolving of the issue of leadership" was also possible "if all the parties talk together".

Butenis, who is departing Dhaka Saturday to take up her new assignment in the US mission in Baghdad, described Bangladeshis as "warm, friendly and hospitable". She also said she will remember Bangladeshi hospitality, culture, and mango. But she joked Bangladeshis also at times tended to be "conspiratorial".

The outgoing envoy denied the United States having any secret agenda in Bangladesh. She assured Bangladesh of easing the visa procedures for "true and genuine" Bangladeshi applicants.

She continued with her characteristic attack on the Bangladeshi media that the ambassador often accused of attributing to her statements she had never made or activities she had never undertaken. Although, she made it clear that the solution was not to shut them up but to help them learn and improve.

Butenis described the transition from democracy to a state of emergency as 'difficult time'. She said a lot of people were relieved when the state of emergency was imposed. Answering a question on interference, she said: "Political problems in Bangladesh are not simple. One problem goes into another. Obviously you cannot solve all the problems in 18 months." She however appreciated the government's efforts to bring changes to people's attitude which she described as positive. She said the best way to solve the problems was to have an elected government.

On having assistance from the US for the elections, Butenis said, "We are working with the government and ready to offer any sort of funding that may be required." The US government is working with the Election Commission but not "dictating" it.

On the critical turning point in national politics, she said: "I don't know how one can proceed in political reforms by keeping politicians in the box. Reform must be done taking them on board as partners. "When we talk about reforms in politics we are talking about leadership that should go way forward. By holding the politicians back you are denying their participation. "It was very frustrating when the political leadership failed to agree on selecting a leader for the caretaker government. I tried to promote dialogue on this issue but I really didn't think they were serious."

Ms. Butenis was appointed by the US Senate as mission chief in Bangladesh on 16 February 2006. She joined Dhaka office on 17th march as the thirteenth US ambassador in Bangladesh. She worked in Pakistan before Bangladesh.

Patricia Butenis was graduated on international relationship from Columbia University in New York. She joined the US foreign administration in 1980.

Expatriate Bangladeshi voters to be enrolled

The Election Commission (EC) has decided to enlist the expatriate voters in the electoral roll to ensure their right to franchise. The EC is planning to set up a separate desk in the Bangladesh embassies in foreign countries in this regard."The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and we, the two Election Commissioners (ECs), have agreed to enroll the expatriate voters in the voter list to ensure their right to vote. Now we are thinking on how to enlist them properly," Election Commissioner M Sohul Hussain said while talking to newsmen at his office yesterday.The EC said that a separate desk would be opened in each of the Bangladesh foreign embassies and an official of the embassy would be appointed as Assistant Registration Officer (ARO) there. The ARO will enroll the expatriate Bangladeshi voters of that country but it would be the responsibility of the voters to come to the embassy for their enrollment in the voter list, he added."This desk for enrollment of expatriate Bangladeshi voters will be set up only in those countries where Bangladesh embassy exists and only one desk will be opened in each country, irrespective of whatever the size of the country. The voters may have to endure a bit trouble for this but we hope they will not feel disinterested," Sohul said.The EC said that no new law would be necessary for enlisting the expatriate voters in the electoral roll-only a minor reform in the Representation of People Order, 1972 (RPO, 1972) would be needed for this purpose.Replying to a query of journalists about the process of casting vote by the expatriate voters, the EC said they might cast their votes through the concerned Bangladesh embassies. But those who will live in Bangladesh during elections they will be able to cast their votes from their local address, he added."The Commission is also thinking of online voting system, as many of the would-be expatriate voters have opined in favour of the system but the voting process is yet to be finalised," he said.Sohul said that the Commission has primarily thought about the above-mentioned matters. But all the matters related to franchise of expatriate Bangladeshi voters will be finalised after making discussion with the Home Ministry and Foreign Affairs Ministry, he added.According to Mr Sohul, more or less 12.5 million Bangladeshi people live in different countries of the world and nearly 8 million of them are eligible to become voters. Most of the Bangladeshi people live in the countries of European Union, in USA and in the Middle Eastern countries, he added.The EC said that many expatriate Bangladeshi people have requested the Commission to ban the branches of Bangladesh political parties in foreign lands, as activities of those political branches tarnish the image of the country.

EC to begin grand task of issuing NIC from Aug in BD

The Election Commission (EC) has decided to initiate work on introducing digital National Identity Cards (NIC) from August. The NIC could also be used as Voters' Identity Cards. A pilot project is likely to be started at some pocket areas like Savar or Joydebpur in this regard in 10 to 12 days.
Under this system, EC officials will not visit voters' houses for collecting information. Rather voters have to go to the camps selected by EC for providing their (voters) particulars.
This was disclosed yesterday by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr ATM Shamsul Huda to newsmen at the EC headquarters in the city. Earlier, the CEC and two other Election Commissioners Brigadier General (Retd) Shakhawat Hossain and Muhammad Sahul Hossain had a meeting with Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed at the latter's office.
Explaining the system, the CEC said under this arrangement the EC would set up about 12,000 camps to be selected from existing 60 to 69 thousand polling centres in the country. At least four persons are to be deployed at every camp with digital camera and other necessary equipment for collecting voters' data, photographs and other information.
"Under this system, voters have to go to the camps once for all and after completing all required formalities, they would get their NICs within a span of 20 to 25 minutes from EC's field level officials," Dr Huda mentioned.
"The army would assist EC officials in conducting this task. They would be deployed at the upazila level. We are not giving any sub-contract of the project to any firm," the CEC mentioned.
He said the camps would be set up at different schools, colleges and community centres across the country.
Mentioning the timetable for providing information by the voters, the CEC said, in the cities it would be from 12 noon to 10pm, while in the villages it would be in the afternoon or in the evening.
Stressing the need for bringing the mass people under this process, the CEC sought cooperation from media and NGO personnel in encouraging the voters to enrol their names with the camps.
"The NIC would be a vital document for anyone to make his/her passport, open bank account, get VGF (vulnerable group feeding) card and getting all sorts of government assistance," he said while mentioning its importance.
The CEC said neighbouring countries like Pakistan, India and Bhutan have successfully followed this system for preparing their NICs.
Terming the task 'Spanish Bull Fight', he said he and his colleagues are sincerely working hard for implementing the project.
"If we could record success in the project then it would be a milestone for us," the CEC said and called upon all (voters) to cooperate with the EC officials for preparing the NIC.
He said that the Chief Adviser assured all kinds of assistance from his government to the EC for implementing the project.
"The existing voter registration form is to be amended for implementation of the project and preparation of flawless NICs," Dr Huda said adding it would take some time for printing of nearly 10 crore people's forms.
Photograph, voters' information, fingerprint and signature would be integrated in full digital method, the CEC told reporters yesterday.
CEC Huda said they increased the number of units who would work at the field level, from earlier calculated 8,000 to 12,000, as they want to complete the task of NID along with voter list with photograph as soon as possible.
"No, we are not going door to door (for doing the task). We are doing it establishing camps at the 69,000 polling stations that are fixed for local-body elections," he replied to a query.
Asked if the field-level task would be done simultaneously across the country, the CEC replied in the negative, saying that they don't have 69,000 units. "So we have to concentrate on pocket to pocket."
He said the EC might complete the task of Dhaka, Rajshahi and Khulna City Corporations first.
About what the EC discussed with the CA, Huda said they discussed the matters of digital method and procurement. "Procurement is a most complicated matter… The first installment of the procurement may be in hand in the last week of July… It will take September to get all."
The 12,000 units that will work in the field would include four types of manpower, he said. Of the four, one would be the enumerator and one would do the task of taking photograph and data entry. The two others would be engaged in the task of scanning and taking bio-matrix.
"Primarily it has been calculated that each group will stay at a camp for seven or eight days… But we didn't calculate yet how much time it would take to cover the whole of the country… It will not be right to say before having the filed-level experience," CEC Huda said, adding that more than one unit could work at a camp simultaneously.

Who's to blame for Windies slump?

Sobers played international cricket for the West Indies from 1954-1974Leading figures in West Indies cricket are in disagreement as to the reasons for the team's poor World Cup showing.
Barring a run of unlikely results the hosts will make an early exit.
Veteran broadcaster Tony Cozier blamed skipper Brian Lara and said: "The buck stops with the captain, who has failed as skipper for the third time."
But Windies legend Sir Garfield Sobers said: "Sometimes people don't look at facts, over the last few years the West Indies board has had huge problems."
The Windies won all three games in their preliminary group but have since been well beaten by Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and South Africa in the Super 8s.
"There is no way Lara can stay on, what sort of message would that send out?" Cozier told BBC Sport. "Someone has to be held culpable for this."
Cozier added: "This was a home event for us and we've failed badly in it. Bold measures need to be taken."

There is indecision and incompetence throughout
Tony Cozier
Sobers, one of the greatest West Indian players of all time, who scored 7,999 Test runs and took 235 wickets, said there were fundamental reasons for the decline that had nothing to do with Lara.
"One, the board didn't have enough money to have enough camps," he said.
"Two, there were always problems with not being able to field a strong West Indies team, there were strikes and there were all kinds of problems.
"To build a house, if you don't have a solid foundation and you build a house, you are going to have problems later on."
Cozier, who has been commentating on West Indies matches for almost 50 years, says the damage was done going into the tournament and it has been exacerbated by a lack of discipline since the competition started.
"There has been a lack of intensity and poor preparation. The fitness coach gave up on the team in frustration in Pakistan and they haven't replaced him.

Who is to blame?
"The contractual dispute with the players was only solved when the tournament started - there was a very real threat of the team going on strike.
"We don't have a fielding coach, so it's no wonder they have struggled so badly and we have received authoritative reports that players have been out at night.
"There is indecision and incompetence throughout and you can't just blame one or two individuals."
Cozier says action needs to be taken quickly, with the team due to depart for England soon after the World Cup finishes.
They play four Tests, two Twenty20 internationals and three ODIs and Cozier says the timing is far from ideal.
Meanwhile, West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) chief executive Ken Gordon has pledged that changes will be made.
"You better believe that they have started already," Gordon said.
However, he took aim at the Caribbean media and former players who he accused of destabilising West Indies hopes by constant criticism and demands for the resignation of Lara as skipper.
"It is unfair to be criticising the team and its captain in the middle of a series like this," added Gordon.
"Let's face it, Lara was put there by the management, and I would be prepared to take whatever responsibility for it when the time comes.
"We all know that on its best day this team can beat anybody, but the reality is that the team is not enjoying its best days.
"We continue to send extraordinarily talented youngsters out there almost as sacrificial lambs."
The West Indies have two more matches to play - against Bangladesh on 19 April and England on 21 April, both in Barbados.

windies coach seeks new approach

West Indies coach Bennett King has urged his players to "knuckle down" and make the most of a second chance given to them by Bangladesh.
The World Cup hosts looked to be heading out of the tournament after three defeats at the Super 8 stage.
But Bangladesh's win over South Africa has re-opened the race for the fourth semi-final spot.
"We've got another opportunity - and we've just got to put our best foot forward this time," said King.
"The players to a man recognise they have a lot of responsibility, especially in the engine room up in the top four.
"They haven't clicked, and when sides are doing well you'll usually find one of the top four scoring a hundred.
"There's no secret to it - we've just got to knuckle down and put our heads down and apply ourselves better, make the right decisions."
West Indies will still probably need to win their remaining Super 8 games against South Africa, Bangladesh and England to have a chance of making the last four.
But King is hoping a week off following their 113-run defeat by Sri Lanka has enabled the players to re-focus.
"Having a break from the whole tournament and going back to people who love them and care for them is quite important - trying to break that cycle we seemed to be in," he said.
"The three back-to-back matches obviously took their toll physically, but I'm very happy with the unity in this group. They're getting on well and they're trying hard.
"They are always fairly quiet. But internally, we have our characters - and the mood around the camp has been excellent all the way through."