Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) President Gianni Infantino on Thursday (Oct 17) assured that his organisation will continue to support for promotion of football in Bangladesh.
“We’ll continue our support and cooperation for the development of soccer in Bangladesh,” he said.
The FIFA president’s assurance came when he paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office in Dhaka in the morning.
After the meeting, PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.
Highly appreciating recent performance of Bangladesh football team, Infantino said Bangladesh’s soccer is improving remarkably at recent times.
The press secretary said Bangladesh-India World Cup Football qualifying match held in Kolkata on Tuesday (Oct 15) came up for discussion.
The FIFA president said there are many things to learn from football, especially discipline.
He praised various steps of the Bangladesh government for development of soccer in the country.
Infantino suggested Bangladesh Football Federation to regularly maintain contact with the FIFA.
Pointing out that football is a popular game in the country, the PM recalled that her grandfather and father used to play soccer.
Sheikh Hasina said her brother Sheikh Kamal founded Bangladesh’s leading sporting club Abahoni Krira Chakra.
Elaborating her government’s initiatives for development of sports and games in the country, the PM said steps have been taken to establish 492 mini stadiums across the country.
Sheikh Hasina said competitions are being arranged at the primary school level to create new players in the country.
“We’re encouraging the boys and girls in participating in popular games like football,” she said.
PM’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman, State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russel, BFF President Kazi Salahuddin, Senior Vice-President Abdus Salam Murshedy and Vice-President Kazi Nabil Ahmed were present at the meeting, among others.
