Sports Desk:

Despite growing criticism of national team head coach Javier Cabrera following Bangladesh’s recent defeat to Singapore, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) remains optimistic about the team’s overall progress. From infrastructure development to improvements in player fitness and performance, the federation sees promising signs of advancement across multiple areas.

At a stakeholder meeting held on Saturday (June 14) at the RAOWA Club in Dhaka, BFF President Tabith Awal and several executive committee members openly discussed various aspects of the national team’s development and long-term goals.

“There have been recurring concerns about our national team—conceding goals late, a lack of fitness and mental toughness, and previously weak infrastructure,” said Tabith Awal. “But we are making progress in those areas. We want to assure supporters that Bangladesh is now in a position to fight till the very end of matches and maintain a consistent standard.”

Although there remains some disappointment over the lack of grassroots activity at the district level, the BFF chief noted that the issue has not been overlooked.

“We haven’t ignored it. We tried to begin with youth-level initiatives,” he explained, expressing hope for future improvements in grassroots football.

Tabith also emphasized the importance of playing against strong international teams in friendly matches, stating that such experiences are crucial for the national team’s growth.

“We are already playing friendlies against decent opponents, but we aim to face even stronger sides,” he said. “The more we play against high-caliber teams, the better our performance level will become.”

He added that consistent exposure to tough international matches is vital for Bangladesh to prepare for Olympic qualifiers and World Cup qualifiers. Without such experience, the gap between domestic and international stages could become overwhelming.

The meeting was attended by 15 of the 21 invited BFF executive members. The discussion covered recent performances, future plans, and continued infrastructural development—highlighting a shared commitment to taking Bangladesh football forward.