The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) high-ups claimed they have taken another step towards professionalism by appointing an event management group to do the public relation works for its mega event Citycell Super Cup.

Masthead PR. which signed an agreement with football's governing body in the country at the BFF Bhaban yesterday, will also be in charge of media management, coverage and publicity.

BFF president Kazi Salahuddin, Super Cup chairman Harunur Rashid, vice-chairman Shawkat Al Khan Jahangir, Musthead PR's CEO Fahad Karim and other officials were present.

Harunur Rashid, a BFF member and also the exgeneral secretary of the organisation, said that the new step would help the federation launch its big-budgeted

event with a professional approach.

"They (Masthead) are professionals. So we expect the best service from them. I hope there involvement would make the tournament a success," Harun told at a press briefing after the signing ceremony.

Fahad Karim said their

target was to make the greatest sport of the world popular again in the country.

"Our effort would be to revive the glory of once the most popular game of the country. We have many distinguished clients but I feel that BFF is the most precious of them all," Fahad said.

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"People from all aspect of life used to watch football with a great passion in Bangladesh. It is the game of mass people and I believe the BFF and we both have the teams to make this tournament a success.

Admitting that the firm has little experience in sports, the Masthead chief executive said it was a challenge for them. "Working in sports is not easy, it's different than others. But we are fully prepared and there would be guidance from the BFF officials, who are experienced," he said while promising to deliver something new during the tournament

He also hinted at a grand launching ceremony on March 5.

There were questions about the appointment though and Salahuddin explained why the BFF needed specialists.

"There is a simple logic behind this. We have experience but our organisers pro-

vide free service to the federation. But they are professionals. They can't say no when we call them to do something. To avoid these type of hazards, we needed professionals to do this job," said the BFF chief.

"Maybe they will come out with modem ideas and new concepts. They are specialists in these types of works and its better to give responsibility to them."

It can be mentioned that repetitive appearances of same old faces during BFF programmes in the last decade bored fans and spectators. And BFF's poor handling of the reception to the Swadhin Bangla Football Dal, perhaps, finally forced the BFF think-tank to look elsewhere for support.

The BFF-Masthead contract will be only for the Super Cup but both parties would look beyond that if it really makes an impact in domestic football.