The Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA), one of the country’s leading sports governing bodies, is set to hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) the day after tomorrow. In advance of the meeting, 24 Olympic-discipline federations have each submitted the names of two councillors, while three non-Olympic federations have sent one representative each.
However, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) remains the only BOA-affiliated federation yet to submit any names. The BOA published its official list of councillors on its website yesterday, leaving the space for BFF blank.
Commenting on the matter, BOA Director General Brigadier General ABM Shafaul Kabir said, “If BFF submits names following our instructions, we will accept them.”
As per BOA guidelines, federations must finalise councillor nominations through an executive committee decision. BFF, however, has not convened such a meeting recently, nor is one planned in the immediate future. Sources within the federation suggest that BFF is intentionally abstaining from this AGM and plans to name its representatives ahead of the upcoming BOA elections.
Cricket, historically considered a non-Olympic discipline, had previously been allocated only one councillor. Following the sport’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has now been granted two councillor positions, in line with other Olympic disciplines. BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul and Vice-President Nazmul Abedeen Fahim have been nominated.
Among other federations, most councillors are either presidents or general secretaries. Notably, former national football star Hasanuzzaman Khan Bablu will attend as the vice-president of the Taekwondo Federation.
From the eight divisional sports associations, only Dhaka, Sylhet, and Mymensingh have submitted names. Dhaka has nominated former footballer Syed Rummon Bin Wali Sabbir and former cricketer Naimur Rashid Rahul. Five divisions have not submitted names, largely due to a lack of formally recognised committees.
In total, the BOA has named 82 councillors. For the first time in several years, the BOA has adhered to its constitutional provision of including two Olympians. Sprinter Shirin Akter and shooter Abdullah Hel Baki have been selected. In addition, the Athletes’ Commission has nominated former athlete Farhad Jesmin Lity and professional golfer Siddikur Rahman.
Councillors nominated under the BOA President’s quota include Vice-President Anjan Chowdhury Pintu, Brigadier General (Retd) Md Sanaul Haque, Zobaidur Rahman, and Major (Retd) Imroz Ahmed. Both Zobaidur and Imroz have served recently on BOA’s Constitution Reform and Sports Reform Search Committees.
From the Patron’s quota, the list includes former Archery Federation General Secretary Kazi Rajib Uddin Ahmed Chapol and table tennis legend Zobera Rahman Linu, a Guinness World Record holder. Sakhawat Hossain and Mokhlesur Rahman have also been appointed, although they are lesser-known figures in national sport.
Lastly, former Secretary General Kutubuddin Ahmed has been named councillor in his capacity as the Immediate Past Secretary General, replacing Syed Shahed Reza, who had filled that role in recent AGMs.