SPORTS REPORTER

The National Sports Council (NSC) on Monday issued a circular to all national sporting bodies, instructing them to refrain from using national-team athletes in any form of electoral publicity.

“Athletes of Bangladesh’s national teams are treasures of the country and symbols of unity for all citizens. Using their image, or that of sport in general, for political or electoral publicity is unacceptable in order to preserve neutrality and the sanctity of sport,” read the circular, signed by NSC director (sports) Mohammad Aminul Ehasan.

The notice stated that certain groups and individuals have recently attempted to involve current national players in political and electoral campaigns ahead of the upcoming elections. The NSC said it believes such involvement contradicts the national sports policy and risks compromising the sporting environment.

The circular is assumed to have been prompted by a video showing several national footballers -- along with BFF president Tabith Awal and his father, Abdul Awal Mintu -- encouraging residents of their locality in Feni to watch the AFC Asian Cup Qualifying match between Bangladesh and India.