A well-known businessman and an active member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Tabith Awal became a key figure in the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), serving as vice president for two terms in 2012 and 2016.

In the BFF elections held on Saturday, Tabith decisively defeated grassroots organizer AFM Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury, securing 123 votes against Mizanur’s 5. The results were declared by Chief Election Commissioner Mejbah Uddin Ahmed around 6:30 pm.

With this victory, Tabith Awal replaced Kazi Salahuddin, ending his 16-year ‘reign’ as BFF president. 128 out of 133 councilors voted in the election and Tabith will now lead the BFF for a four-year term. This election marks a significant change in leadership and highlights Tabith’s experience and commitment to the development of football in Bangladesh.

In an exclusive interview with The Business Standard earlier this month, Tabith Awal discussed the state of domestic football, challenges of the Kazi Salahuddin era, grassroots development, dependence on foreign players and his vision for the future of Bangladesh football.

Can you start by telling us how your passion for football began?

Football has always been a part of my life. My passion for the game started during my school years when I played regularly. But it was when Mr. Piaru, who was working at Dhanmondi Club at the time, saw me play that really sparked it. He took me to the team that was competing in the 1st League at that time. My football career started here and my passion for football grew from there.

Is there anything that stands out to you in your football journey?

One of the most important moments was receiving a football scholarship that allowed me to pursue higher education at George Washington University in the United States. As for memorable matches, I will never forget playing for Fokirapool Young Men against Sheikh Russel Football Club in 2004. We were coming into the match as an underdog, but I scored the decisive goal in our 1-0 win. That moment remains one of my proudest moments in football.

In which areas do you think there was a lack of development in Bangladesh football during the Kazi Salahuddin era?

Our biggest defeat was our fall in the FIFA rankings. We missed opportunities to reach the finals of the SAFF tournaments and I believe that if we had performed better in those tournaments our international ranking would not have suffered so much. We need to go beyond regional recognition and leave our mark on a global level. For this, whether it is me or someone else, we need new leadership and new ideas to meet this challenge.

What improvements do you think are needed at the domestic level?

Football needs to be more active at the grassroots level, and regular tournaments need to be held at regional and age levels. We also need better developmental coaches for young players. Currently most of our players are not technically sound and this is a direct result of not having the right guidance. In addition to coaching, our infrastructure such as playing fields, proper equipment and medical support for players also needs serious attention.

What are your goals for Bangladesh football if you become the next chairman?

I have several goals. One of the most important is to host more matches outside Dhaka, be it Premier League or national team matches. This will help increase passion for football in areas outside the capital. As I mentioned before, I also want to raise the standard of the lower leagues. Overall, my aim is to develop football at all levels in Bangladesh.

Do you think there is excessive dependence on foreign players in domestic football?

I don’t say that. In fact, playing together with foreign players can help the development of our local players. When they face international competition, they need to be able to compete at that level. If our players are good enough, they will naturally take their place in the team, even against foreign players.

What do you think about players of Bangladeshi origin like Hamza Chowdhury joining the national team?

I fully support it. In fact, our current captain, Jamal Bhuiyan, was recruited from Denmark during my tenure as vice president at BFF. Players like Hamza add a different skill and professionalism to the team with their experience abroad. This can only be beneficial for Bangladesh football.

Do you think recruiting Bangladeshi players from abroad is a sustainable approach for the national team?

Definitely. With so many Bangladeshis living abroad, there is a large talent pool from which we can draw. These players can help local players develop by bringing not only their skills but also their experience. I believe Hamza will play a big role in this and there are many more players of Bangladeshi origin who can contribute. If we create the right project, we can encourage them to play in Bangladesh.

You had a chance to be nominated as a consultant. Why didn’t you choose that path?

I have my own principles when it comes to football. If I had been a consultant and later won the election to become chairman of the board, I might have developed a prejudice against that club. To avoid this and maintain ethical standards, I decided not to go the consultant route.

What are your goals for Bangladesh football if you become the next chairman?

I have several goals. One of the most important is to host more matches outside Dhaka, be it Premier League or national team matches. This will help increase passion for football in areas outside the capital. As I mentioned before, I also want to raise the standard of the lower leagues. Overall, my aim is to develop football at all levels in Bangladesh.