BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that the Awami League has ruined all institutions by governing the country in a fascist manner and politicising the sports arena. As a result, talented footballers were denied opportunities to play, leading to the decline of the once-popular sport.
Fakhrul made these comments while speaking as the chief guest at the Zia Inter-Thana Football Tournament 2025 in Mirpur.
"Cricket is now the popular sport, but football was once loved by the people. The Awami League government ruined the sport. A major example of this is the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF). Due to the BFF, skilled players did not get the chance to pursue their passion," Fakhrul said.
Highlighting the vision of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, Fakhrul said, “Tarique Rahman’s main objective is to guide the youth and the younger generation towards politics and sports. He dreams of building a prosperous and advanced Bangladesh, where the youth play a pivotal role in nation-building.”
Fakhrul emphasised that the tournament aligns with the Acting Chairman’s mission to keep the youth engaged in productive activities, ensuring they do not stray into the wrong path or get involved in criminal activities.
