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Rahman tonic for BFF

Sports Reporter
The qualifying phase of the Nitol-Tata 4th National Football League (NFL) might start on schedule despite a hardline stance of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) president SA Sultan.
Sultan on Saturday announced that they would suspend this year's event if the Bangabandhu National Stadium was not awarded to them for holding the six-team final phase in September.
But after a discussion with the State Minister for Youth and Sports Fazlur Rahman yesterday the BFF president had a change of heart.
"The minister told us to wait till the end of this week to give a decision on the Bangabandhu National Stadium. He also assured us of providing financial support if the final phase of the NFL can't be held in Dhaka," Sultan told reporters at
his BFF office last night.
Sultan also said that he was always optimistic to retain the allpurpose venue despite cricket's claim of needing it for a busy international schedule starting with New Zealand's tour in October.
BFF general secretary Anwarul Haque Helal, who also accompanied Sultan, said that they tried to convince the sports boss why they needed at least fifteen days to fulfil certain commitments to the sponsors and above all to inject fresh enthusiasm among the local football fans.
Besides, Helal also highlighted the financial downside if the tournament is not played at the traditional home of the game.
"The estimated budget for the tournament is Tk 1.02 crore but it would increase to about Tk 1.20 if the federation has to entertain the six finalists outside the capital. Also, gate receipts would be much lower than expected if the finals are staged anywhere except BNS," said Helal, adding that if they get the
additional funds from the government they would renegotiate with the sponsors.
The BFF general secretary said that they would meet today to give the qualifiers to go ahead. The preliminary round is scheduled to kick off on June 25 at six different venues across the country.
"There is nothing wrong starting the qualifiers on time and we just need to sort out the latter stage details."
Tournament committee secretary Manzoor Hossain Malu also echoed the sentiment of Helal.
"If we start late it will only complicate things" said Malu.
He however ruled out a possible alternative to BNS for staging the final round.
"Kamalpur Stadium is out of the question. We have held the National League at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur before but the present condition suggests that Bangabandhu Stadium is the lone choice."