After ending his playing career, Salahuddin did a stint at football management and coaching. He became the manager of Bangladeshi club Abahani in 1985 and also took the coaching responsibility of the team on different occasions. He also became the manager of Bangladesh national team in 1988 during the Asian Cup Qualifiers in Abu Dhabi.[break]
Salahuddin was elected the president of BFA in 2008 after being elected as the vice president in 2003. In 2009, he was elected SAFF president replacing All Nepal Football Association President Ganesh Thapa.
South Asian Football Federation President Kazi Md Salahuddin. (Bijay Rai/Republica)
Salahuddin arrived in Kathmandu on Monday, a day before the draw for the Eighth SAFF Championship. Republica’s Prajwal Oli caught up with Salahuddin on Tuesday. Excerpts:
How do you feel to be in Nepal?
I came yesterday and I have always felt good to be in Nepal. I have been in Nepal for 13/14 times. I also visited Nepal when I was a player and the last time I came here was with the Bangladesh team during group stage of the AFC Challenge Cup in March.
You have helmed SAFF since 2009. What is your assessment of the development of football in this region?
We have done a lot and a lot more can be done. The member teams are a little behind schedule in organizing their own domestic matches. We have already started U-16 and Women’s SAFF and are planning U-18 tournament at the SAFF level. We lack sponsor and if India agrees to play we will organize SAFF Club Championship next year. SAFF executive committee meeting on September 10 in Kathmandu will discuss these issues.
Do you have any plans to bring about uniformity in SAFF members’ calendars?
Yes, we are working on it. But we are not as professional as Europeans. It may take some time but bringing uniformity is important.
What difference do you see in SAFF football when you were a player and now as the president of the South Asia region?
Level of SAFF football was much higher when I was a player but that does not mean that it has degraded. It is improving. The teams have improved a lot.
Do you mean South Asian football has degraded?
No, during my playing career, India was a superb team and Bangladesh was very good. We were the top countries of Asia. But other countries have also progressed with the passage of time. South Asian football failed to catch up with the rest of the world.
What should be done for the development of football in South Asian region?
There are 209 football playing countries. They invest hundreds of millions in football every year. I think the government in the less developed countries should cooperate with the federation in developing football at the national level. For any other sports, millions mean a lot but not so in football. My Dutch coach cost me millions of dollars. This is what the government of third world countries should understand. Football is a different ball game altogether.
How important is international exposure in football?
International exposure is very important in football. I talked to ANFA President Ganesh Thapa and discussed we must play two/three matches in a year. Recently, my team played with Malaysia and right now my team is in Thailand playing two friendly matches. I am trying to hold Bangabandhu International Gold Cup in September-October. I will invite Nepal and also Thailand, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain.
Don’t you think that AFC tournaments like Challenge Cup have hampered development of football in this region?
That is everyone’s fault. Don’t make your life easy. You need to fight relentlessly and evolve to play good football. You have to give the best to qualify. If you are not good, you don’t deserve to be invited. If you win you can go looking for new exploits.
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