NCP unveils National Sports Alliance to push reform in sport

The National Citizen Party (NCP) launched its sports wing, the National Sports Alliance (NSA), on Monday, with former Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) directors Nazmul Abedeen Fahim and M Nazmul Islam named as convener and member secretary respectively.

During the launching ceremony, held at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh auditorium in Khamarbari, Dhaka, a partial central convening committee was approved for six months.

The NSA says it aims to make Bangladesh’s sports arena democratic, inclusive, accountable and internationally competitive.

Five advisers were named: Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, Tarek A Adel, Zahirul Islam Musa, Abdullah Mohammad Hossain and Ahnaf Saeed Khan. Asif Mahmud is the NCP’s senior joint member secretary and a former interim government adviser.

Salman Mohammad Javed, M Rafiqul Islam, Zahir Rayhan, Khaleque Sikder and Abdul Monayem are joint conveners. Armanul Islam Nayan was named organising secretary.

Seven joint member secretaries were appointed, including Mahmudul Hasan Rakib (office), Abdullah Al Mamun (media) and Sadia Fairuz (assistant media). The committee also has 36 organisers and 47 members.

NCP convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam, the chief guest, said the NSA would not be an NCP associate. Instead, the party would support it without dictating its work.

He said the party had expected the new government to reform sport after the election. Instead, he alleged, partisan appointments had spread everywhere, sport included.

Nahid said the BCB committee had been imposed illegally, a point the party raised in parliament. He said they called it the “father’s blessing committee,” and the public now wants to see its results.

Former BCB director and singer Asif Akbar criticised the BCB election and the sports state minister’s role. Without naming Aminul Haque, he said a goalkeeper could not be in charge of cricket.

Nazmul Islam announced the partial committee, and Fahim read out the declaration. NCP and affiliated leaders and activists attended.