Bangladesh’s upcoming national election has drawn significant participation from the country’s sporting community, with at least 26 well-known sports personalities contesting parliamentary seats across the country on Thursday.
Of them, 24 candidates have been nominated by the BNP, while one is contesting under the 11-party alliance and another is running as an independent.
Among the prominent names is Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Bir Bikram, a former footballer contesting from Bhola-3, while Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, a lifelong member of Mohammedan Sporting Club, is running from Thakurgaon-1. Former national footballer Aminul Haque is contesting from Dhaka-16, and Mirza Abbas, a former State Minister for Youth and Sports, is seeking election from Dhaka-8.
Several candidates are closely associated with 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 in the race.
The cricketing fraternity 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 contesting seats.
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 arena. Former footballer Lovelu Siddiqui is also among the candidates.
bd-pratidin/GR
