The lost appeal of soccer

Once football was a very popular sport in our country or rather I should say it was the most popular game of our country. But now it has lost its magical pull. I remember in the 80's and 90's the Dhaka stadium was the centre of all attractions for sports-loving people. The first division football league of Dhaka attracted spectators from all around the country. It seemed during that time our country was divided in two groups-Abahani and Mohammedan. Footballers like Salahuddin, Chunnu, Badal and Salam used to get a lot of media and public attention.
I never thought that the once so popular football would ever embrace such a dismal state. Now even big matches do not pull any crowd. Footballers do not receive that adulation and publicity and cricket now is in the limelight as it has made Bangladesh known in the international sporting circle. During the last World Cup we saw much enthusiasm about football among the local people, but once the World Cup was over, the enthusiasm evaporated. The poor and deteriorating standard of football is to blame for the public apathy towards local soccer. We have to improve the standard of football. Surely spectators are the heart of any sport. Without them, no sports can prosper.
Mohammad Sohel Hara
Bonoshree, Dhaka
sohelhara@hotmail.com