If you go to Clubpara behind the city center of Motijheel, you will see a wave of joy and celebration in two nearby clubs. The impression of the negative stigma of the casino case for a long five years seems to have disappeared in a blink of an eye! There is a festive atmosphere at Youngmen’s Fakirpool or Wanderers. It was unusual not to do so. In the professional football championship, both clubs are going to play in the Premier League in the new season as champions and runners-up. This is the result of hard struggle in the face of extreme adversity.
In September 2019, law and order enforcement forces conducted a major operation in Klapp Para of Motijheel. For the first time in the history of the country, the anti-casino campaign came down on six clubs. The main gate is locked. In that campaign, the clubs were in shambles. Still, the accused clubs did not stop. More or less continued their sports activities. The clubs have been conditionally open since September last year. But before the opening, the apocalypse happened. Many valuables including trophies were lost. Window rods were also stolen. However, after four years, the officials were relieved that the lock was opened.
At this time, everyone has carried out activities from here and there like nomads. Those involved in the casino scandal are not. The new committee took over much earlier. He continued to work with responsibility. While running the club, you have to listen to various harsh words. Even after that, they have built a team of crores of rupees and now they have turned around.
Youngmen’s Fakirerpool
Championship League trophy-winning Youngmen Fakirpool’s heritage is no less. Almost 70 years old club. This club is said to be one of the player supply platforms. Players like Sohail Al Masum, Amin Rana, Askar Babu have emerged from here. Before that, another star late Manu also played in the 80s. Besides, Azimuddin also played in this club during Auto Fester. Striker Mohammed Robin was also Youngmen’s discovery during the last Dido. Now with a bit of a clean up, the Youngmen have found a new direction. The general secretary of the club, Mostafizur Rahman Mainu, is clear about how hard he has run the club. Ward Awami League official told Bangla Tribune, ‘Three years ago we took responsibility in the club. We borrowed from friends everywhere. From his own business. Ward had to work in the Awami League office as the club was locked. The team had to run very hard. I could not sit in the club. Still we did not give up. I know one day the light will come. It feels very good to have success in football today. Besides, the club got a bad name due to some deviant officials. It is trying to get up.’
1 b2 u09a6u09b2u0964 “}”> Once Youngmens used to play in the Dhaka Premier Football League before the professional league. Manjur Hussain Malui was basically in charge of the club for a long time. During Sabbir Hossain’s tenure in 2016, the Youngmen did not even get a chance to play in the Premier League in the professional era. Mostafizur Rahman has assured that he will play this time, ‘Now I will play in the Premier League. I will play at least one season. Now it takes a lot of money to play there. Our president Anwar Hossain Makhan has assured. If everyone jumps together, nothing good will happen. ‘
Their striker Rafael Tudo is the top scorer and best player in this league with 13 goals. However, due to the club’s lockdown, they had to play from the hotel. This football player from Southal community is happy with the environment of the club, ‘Here we played freely. Didn’t have to worry about salary or food. I heard this club has a tradition. I hope it will go further.’
Renovations are underway at the club after it was unlocked. Everyone aims to keep the players there as before and run the program ahead of the new season.
‘Had to bring money even by begging’
At one time, Dhaka Wanderers was far ahead in terms of success and popularity in Dhaka football. Before independence there was a lot of competition between Mohammedans and Wanderers. Little by little the dominance of the Wanderers started to decline after independence. The club was relegated from the Premier in 1995. It premiered again after eight years. Although could not stay in the premier for more than 3 years.
The traditional club has been hit hard by the casino scandal. A lot of things were stolen, including trophies, just like the others. After opening the lock, they found almost zero rooms. At this time, Azad Sporting had to sit here and there like a nomad to run the club’s activities. The players were initially placed in Wari clubs including Azad Sports. It was the last few days there after the club was unlocked. Wanderers play not only football but many sports including boxing-hockey. So their activities are bitter.
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The former officials are no more after the casino scandal. Within a few days, the committee changed and started working with new enthusiasm and today it has achieved success in football. However, the general secretary of the club, former footballer Kamal Hossain, said in a regretful voice, ‘For so long, the club has to be run by begging people. No one wanted to pay easily. We tried to convince them that there is no casino practice in the club. Gambling or any other prohibited activities are also not carried on. Still not everyone wanted to pay. The club is running by collecting money with great difficulty. With everyone’s efforts, there has been some success in football this time.’
The club last won the Premier League in 2003. It dropped three years later in 2006. After almost 18 years, they got a chance to play at the main level again.
Kamal Hossain said that he will try to build a good team in the next season in the professional league. Sitting at the club, he said, ‘Now it feels great to be back again. Our president Kazi Shahidullah Liton wanted to bring the team to the professional league. We succeeded in that. Hopefully next season we will play at the top level. Now nothing negative happens in our club. Everyone is on alert.’
The team’s coach, 67-year-old Abu Yusuf, had a hard-nosed attitude, and the club did not tread any other path in the field. Yusuf himself said, ‘Besides playing on the field, you also have to fight with the team behind the scenes. I cannot be compromised with anything that goes against football. i didn’t So I was able to come this far. Besides, everyone in the club gave me freedom. I am happy to do the job properly.’
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