Bangladesh’s male national footballers will now be included in the government salary scheme, joining their female counterparts, after sports state minister Aminul Haque confirmed the plan in a meeting with the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF). The minister also announced that three major stadiums – Kamalapur, Sylhet, and Chattogram – will be officially handed over to the federation under formal agreements.
Bangladeshi footballers have long faced financial challenges despite representing their country. While players worldwide earn significant pay from clubs, local national team members often receive only modest allowances. Currently, male players earn no match fees, with camp stipends ranging from just 20,000 to 25,000 taka, leaving them at a financial disadvantage compared with female players on the BFF’s monthly salary scheme.
Following his appointment as sports state minister, former national captain Aminul Haque has announced plans to include male footballers in a formal government salary structure alongside the women’s team. In his first sessions with the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), Aminul outlined the scheme and reinforced the need for equitable incentives for all national players.
“The women’s team have consistently delivered excellent performances, which is highly commendable,” Aminul said. “Alongside encouraging them, male players will now also be brought under the government contract system with a fixed monthly salary. Both men’s and women’s teams will benefit from a stable financial structure.”
Aminul also addressed infrastructure and youth development priorities. Under FIFA funding, the BFF requested access to specific stadiums, and after discussions, three major venues – Kamalapur Stadium, Sylhet Stadium, and Chattogram Stadium – will be officially handed over under formal agreements with the National Sports Council.
“Rural areas already have plenty of football grounds, but these three stadiums will support professional and national-level football,” Aminul added. “Formal contracts will be completed soon, ensuring the federation can manage and maintain these venues effectively.”
BFF deputy president Fahad Karim welcomed the announcement, noting that the new stadiums will allow year-round competitions and provide a platform to expand district-level leagues and inter-district tournaments. “We identified eight potential venues and selected these three,” he said. “This is excellent news for football, and if managed well, it will pave the way for further stadium allocations in the future.”
To strengthen youth development, Aminul also revealed plans to create an annual football calendar for age-group tournaments, ensuring continuous competitive opportunities across the country. He stressed that ongoing coordination between the ministry, the National Sports Council, and the federation will be key to implementing these plans effectively.
The meetings at the National Sports Council included BFF president Tabith Awal, youth and sports ministry secretary Mahbub Ul Alam, and other officials. On Wednesday, Aminul is scheduled to meet representatives from corporate sponsors to further support football development in Bangladesh.
