Sports administrators vie for parliamentary seats

Bangladesh’s upcoming national election has seen notable participation from the country’s sporting community, with at least 26 prominent sports figures contesting parliamentary seats nationwide on Thursday.

Of them, 24 have been nominated by the BNP, while one candidate is running under the banner of the 11-party alliance and another is contesting as an independent.

Among the high-profile contenders is Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Bir Bikram, a former footballer running from Bhola-3. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, a lifelong member of Mohammedan Sporting Club, is contesting from Thakurgaon-1. Former national footballer Aminul Haque is in the race from Dhaka-16, while Mirza Abbas, a former State Minister for Youth and Sports, is seeking election from Dhaka-8.

Several candidates have strong ties to leading sports clubs. Permanent members of Mohammedan Sporting Club, Abahani founding member Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Brothers Union president Ishraque Hossain, and Victoria Club president Khairul Kabir Khokon are all vying for seats.

The cricketing community is also well represented, with former BCB vice-president Ali Asgar Lobi, former BCB directors Barkatullah Bulu and Rasheduzzaman Millat, and current BCB councillor Mir Helal among the candidates.

Football administration features prominently as well, with former Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) president Colonel Oli Ahmed, BFF councillors Farhad Hossain Azad and Shah Md Wares Ali Mamun, along with several club officials, entering the political fray. Former footballer Lovelu Siddiqui is also in the race.