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BFF plans academy, more int'l exposure

Sports Reporter
Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) is about to finalise plans to set the first football academy in the country.
"Our plans have advanced a long way to build a hi-standard, full-fledged academy and a decision would be taken by this month," BFF president Kazi Salahuddin informed yesterday.
"I hope it would be possible to announce concrete results within 10-15 days," said the BFF chief adding that the academy will have all facilities including four-five grounds, a swimming pool, gymnasium and residence for trainees.
"Players from under- 13 to 19 and even the national team would be able to use the facilities, he said. Salahuddin, however, was not sure whether a BKSP-styie institution with full-
fledged schooling would be viable.
"We have yet to plan whether we are going to have academic education or not. The BKSP has come a long way but it has not produced 20 superstars in any discipline. So, we are not sure the same formula will work."
The former national football captain said he would look to European academies for inspiration.
"1 will go to the famous youth academies of Ayax Amsterdam, Barcelona and Manchester United along with members of the BFF development committee to see the methods they use. After seeing their whole system, we will try to find out the formula that will suit us most. I believe local formulas that have been tried here are not that successful."
The academy will need a vast area but Salahuddin only hinted that the place would be outside Dhaka.
"It will also need a lot of money and we will
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do it from our own fund. We are not seeking help from FIFA or AFC. National Sports Council chairman General Moeen U Ahmed has been giving his help to us in this regard. If everything is finalised by January, we hope to start work within two months."
Meanwhile, the BFF has taken initiative to give maximum international exposure to the footballers in 2009.
Although things have not been finalised, the BFF plans to send the national team to at least five tournaments abroad this year. Bangladesh are expected to participate in Nepal's inaugural Prime Minister's Cup and Salahuddin said he will seek invitation from Thailand’s King's Cup and hoped they are invited for Merdeka Cup in Malaysia and Myanmar's Grand Royal Challenge Cup again.
The BFF boss, however, sounded more enthusiastic about the proposed series against Thailand and regional rivals India, Maldives, Sri
Lanka and Nepal.
It was learned that Bangladesh will play two home matches and two away matches against each of the five teams and at least three series will be completed this year. Apart from India, talks have already started with the others with positive response comingout.
Besides, the national and under-23 teams are due io participate in the SAFF Championship in India and the SA Games at home respectively this year.
The professional league, which ends in February, will be followed up by the return of the National League to the calendar and the proposed two-crore taka Super Cup, which will feature the top eight teams of the ongoing B. League.
Edson 'Dido' Silva, national team's new coach from Brazil who takes over from February, is expected to arrive in Dhaka in the third week of this month to see the top booters in action in the B. League.