BCB understaffed after fall of previous government, admits Youth and Sports Advisor Asif

Youth and Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud has acknowledged that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is currently operating in a patchwork fashion due to significant disruptions in its structure. 

Speaking on Sunday during an event commemorating the interim government's 100 days in office, the Advisor admitted that the absence of key personnel and a lack of resources have left the board struggling to function effectively.  

"When I took charge, many BCB members were untraceable. Efforts are now underway to overcome stagnation by appointing new directors," said the Advisor, emphasising the urgent need for reform and restructuring within the organisation.

The board's current challenges stem from a vacuum in leadership, with 15 out of 25 director positions now vacant following recent dismissals, resignations, and other circumstances.  

The situation came under scrutiny following comments by former national team captain Aminul Islam Bulbul, who described the BCB as being held together with patches.

Addressing this, Asif Mahmud acknowledged the assessment, stating, "It's true that the BCB is currently patched together, and new directors must be brought in to restore normal operations."  

Leadership void and restructuring  

The leadership crisis at the BCB began to deepen on 30 October, when the board dismissed 11 directors, including former president Nazmul Hassan Papon, Ismail Haider Mallick, Tanvir Ahmed Titu, Sheikh Sohel, and A.J.M. Nasir.

They were removed in accordance with the BCB constitution for missing three consecutive board meetings. Out of the 15 vacant positions, 11 were dismissals, three resulted from resignations, and one was due to the death of a director.  

The Advisor highlighted that this leadership gap has left the remaining 10 directors managing multiple divisions, creating significant operational bottlenecks. "The BCB has taken steps to address these issues, but it's a tough situation with limited resources and personnel," he remarked.  

Ensuring accountability across federations  

The Advisor also stressed the importance of accountability for all sports federations, not just cricket. "Every federation will be required to submit annual activity and audit reports to ensure transparency. If any corruption is identified, it will be thoroughly investigated," he said. However, he noted the limitations of government intervention in autonomous federations like football.  

In September, the government dismissed 42 federation presidents in a bid to reform the sports sector.

On this, the Advisor said, "We are addressing allegations against various committees and taking necessary measures. Where stagnation exists, new committees are being formed to resolve crises." He urged journalists to scrutinise these federations and hold them accountable for their performance.  

Renovation of cricket venues  

Speaking about the renovation and maintenance of Bangladesh's three Test venues—Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, and Chattogram's Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium—the Advisor underscored the government's responsibility.

"These stadiums fall under the government's purview. Therefore, their maintenance and renovation are our responsibility. Any financial matters between the cricket board and the National Sports Council will be handled separately," he explained.  

Moving forward  

Despite the challenges, the Advisor expressed hope for progress in Bangladesh's sports sector. Efforts are underway to restore stability to the BCB and other federations, with a focus on ensuring transparency and accountability. "We are trying to overcome these obstacles step by step. The sacrifice and dedication of those involved in sports must be matched with efficient governance and reform," he concluded.  

This vision for restructuring reflects the government's commitment to rebuilding a more functional and transparent sports infrastructure, starting with the country's cricket board.