National Sports Council (NSC) Executive Director Kazi Nazrul Islam has voiced strong frustration over Bangladesh’s lack of progress in international sports despite major annual spending, urging greater accountability and tangible results from the country’s sports federations.
Speaking at a press conference organised by the Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) in Dhaka on Thursday, Nazrul openly questioned the nation’s return on investment in sports.
“We spend a huge amount of money every year on sports, but where are the results? What are we achieving? Where do we stand?” he asked, his voice reflecting both disappointment and urgency.
Nazrul, himself a former athlete, expressed sorrow at the nation’s sporting decline. “It’s painful to see how far we’ve fallen. There was a time when Bangladesh would beat the Maldives by eight or nine goals in football. Now we lose to them. We used to dismiss Nepal as an easy opponent, but today they defeat us. Even Sri Lanka, once nowhere near our level, now outplays us. It truly hurts to witness this decline.”
Before becoming an administrator, Nazrul was a footballer and a successful badminton player, winning multiple national titles. Drawing on his athletic background, he said, “I’ve been the singles and doubles champion at the Officers’ Club for twelve consecutive years. So as someone who’s lived the life of an athlete, it deeply saddens me to see our international performances fall so short.”
His remarks echoed the feelings of many sports fans across Bangladesh. In cricket, the national team continues to show promise in major tournaments like the Asia Cup and World Cup, only to return home empty-handed. Despite years of investment, modern training facilities, and high-profile coaching, consistent success remains elusive.
In football, the inclusion of expatriate-born players such as Hamza Choudhury and Shamit Shome earlier this year brought renewed energy and optimism. However, results have yet to follow, with the national side often falling just short by producing improved performances but not decisive wins.
The frustration goes beyond these two popular sports. Nazrul highlighted that several federations continue to send athletes abroad with little to show in return. “As an administrator, I see the huge sums being invested in our sports sector every year,” he said. “But are we truly getting results that match that spending? In cricket and football, we pour in the most resources, yet our achievements don’t reflect that commitment.”
He called for a clear shift towards accountability, performance tracking, and effective resource management, saying that Bangladesh’s vast population should be capable of producing world-class talent.
“We must ensure that the money we spend, the sponsorships we receive, and the effort we put in are justified by visible success. Bangladesh has over 180 million people, can’t we produce even 18 world-class athletes from among them? It’s a painful question, but one we must ask.”
Nazrul ended with a heartfelt appeal for unity and sincerity within the sports community. “Let’s work together with focus and honesty. The people of Bangladesh have immense faith in their athletes. It’s time we honour that trust by delivering the success they deserve.”
