As Bangladesh Football Federation launched a first-of-its-kind auction for 10 of its Elite Academy footballers at a hotel in the capital yesterday, Brothers Union snatched up six of the ten players.
With all but one of the 11 competing teams represented, the four more players were signed by Bashundhara Kings, Abahani, Sheikh Russel KC, and Fortis FC for the next Bangladesh Premier League season.
Three distinct teams, Sheikh Russel, Mohammedan SC, and Brothers Union, wanted these players from the local regulatory body of the sport, which prompted BFF to hold the auction.
The BFF Elite Academy, which began with 33 aspiring footballers two years ago and now houses and trains 63 players in its dormitories in Kamalapur, also benefited from the promotion.
The advantages of BFF Elite Academy and its effect on the nation’s football were emphasized in an audio-visual presentation.
Two types of players—A, with a base price of Tk 5 lakh, and B, with a base price of Tk 4 lakh—were auctioned off. Mohammad Asif, the only goalie on the list with a base price of Tk 5 lakh, was sold to BPL winners Bashundhara Kings for the highest fee of Tk 13.75 lakh.
Although the majority of the teams had already signed players to their liking for the next season, the auction was a first in the history of the nation’s football and was attended by the BFF’s top brass as well as representatives from all the clubs. It was also broadcast live on a satellite channel.
Even though the auction was handled quite professionally, things became heated when Mohammedan officials protested the decision to let Brothers purchase Rubel Sheikh, alleging Mohammedan had placed a larger offer shortly before the hammer fell. Rubel’s difficulty was finally resolved by a rebid, and Brothers ultimately purchased him for a hefty price, after a short period of commotion and halt.
BFF President Kazi Salahuddin commended the idea of auctioning off the academy’s young players and complimented Ataur Rahman Bhuiyan Manik, the federation’s vice-president and head of the development committee, for making the academy’s ambition come true.
This is a proud moment for me since two years ago, I had no idea that it would really happen.
“What inspired us to launch this school was the camp for the girls’ squad and their success. In this aspect, Manik made a courageous choice, Salahuddin remarked in his address.
Manik said that participants will get 40% of the auction price and the remaining balance would go to the BFF funds.