The Daily Star (DS): You are contesting for the president's post of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) for a fourth successive term. What has prompted you to run again?  

Kazi Salahuddin (KS): When I became BFF president for the first time in 2008, you journalists had asked me why I had come as there was no league and no competition. I had said that I had come from an obligation towards football. But I found there was no structure of football. Since then I have completed 12 leagues in 12 years and all the footballers of the national team are my product. So, a foundation has been set. With this foundation, now is the time to build a 30-storey building. That's why I want to continue (as president) and complete that building.

TDS: If elected again, what will be your projects?

KS: People have lots of dreams, but there is difference between dream and reality. We will try our best so that we can reach a certain stage. It's unfortunate that it will take at least 12 to 18 months to recover from the seven-to-eight month gap due to the coronavirus pandemic. It is another challenge.

TDS: How do you evaluate your work of the last 12 years?

KS: There has been continuation of some competitions like Bangladesh Premier League, Federation Cup and Independence Cup. Many people say many things but the fact is no one gave any money to districts for the district league, but I gave them money every year. They might have more demand but I have to have the money in my box. No one supports me, neither government nor FIFA. AFC provides us fund for their purpose. I have to manage money personally for districts. I don't give them (bribe), I give them money officially. League is being held in 40 to 50 districts even though there may be lack of quality. Districts also have responsibility (to bring quality).

If you want to expand the love for football, the government, people, media and players have to come forward. If I make mistakes, tell me. I will make amends. Apart from money, the biggest thing I gave to the federation is time which has a lot of value.

TDS: After being elected for the third term in 2016 you set priority on three things – district football, strong national team and an academy. How much improvement have you made in these three areas? 

KS: Whatever the reasons, I saw districts were very weak. That's why I brought money from the government last year and distributed to the districts. If the districts show a bit of interest in holding league and mange some money, then we won't have any problem.

The second is the national team. Our responsibility is to provide quality coach, trainer, physiotherapist, goalkeeping coach which I didn't get during my playing career. I sent the national team for training in Qatar, Malaysia. Academy is a very difficult subject. We have already set up an academy which produced has a result (trophy) in UEFA Assist Tournament in Bangladesh. The problem is that I spent 2.16 lakh dollars for coaches and Tk 1.25 crore for players in one year and I had to collect this fund alone. An academy needs money to be run. The bottom line is I need Tk 5 to 6 crore per year to run an academy which I can't manage.

TDS:  Football at lower divisions and districts have been ignored due to focus only on top-flight. What will you say to this allegation?

KS: Yes and no. The biggest problem is funding. You have to set the priority first. If you give me a bucketful of money, I can implement all the programmes easily. I'm contesting the polls, but I'm also thinking of how to manage money and hold the first, second and third division leagues.

TDS: BFF spent record amount of money per year, between 35 and 40 crore taka, and one-third of it in administration while there is no reflection of football development.

KS: FIFA won't give us money to hold leagues with a few exceptions. 80 percent money from FIFA and AFC is spent for administration including for the coaches and that's the law of FIFA and AFC.

TDS: There is allegation that you could not emphasise on men's football at age-level compared to women's football at age level.

KS: It is not correct. Whenever I wanted to hold U-18 (boys) tournaments, the clubs did not support me. Big teams refused to play. Some 70 teams are playing in Pioneer League, which covers youth level. Of course, men's football is my first priority, but both men's and women's football are my priority.

TDS: As per the condition of professional league, clubs must have youth teams but they don't have in reality. Why the federation could bring those clubs into the professionalism?

KS: 'Could not bring' is not the correct word. I don't have power to force them to do it even though I'm telling them time and again. If you don't do your work, your employer will terminate you. But I don't have the authority to terminate anyone (the clubs). I can only request them to come into professionalism.   

TDS: Out of 10, how many marks will you give yourself and your committee?

KS: I will give 7.5 because I have been successful in holding leagues and tournaments, in finding success in women's football, etc. If I get official funding, I will obtain 10 out of 10.