BFF sign 5-month deal with coach Nayeemuddin, announce 25-men initial squad for Nehru Cup

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Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has signed a five-month deal with former Indian coach Syed Nayeemuddin to prepare the national side especially for the SAFF Championship to be held in December in Colombo and Male, reports UNB.
The contract was signed at a simple ceremony at the BFF Bhaban Monday afternoon.
BFF president SA Sultan, vice presidents Abdur Rahim and Sirajul Islam Bachchu, general secretary Anwarul Huq Helal and deputy general secretary Manjoor Hossain Malu were present on the occasion.
Under the five-month contract effective August 1, coach Nayeemuddin will receive a remuneration of Tk 100,000 per month in addition to accommodation and food.
After signing the deal, the Hyderabad born former defender, who had vast experience of coaching the Indian national side as well as famed Mohun Bagan and East Bengal clubs, thanked the BFF for giving him the opportunity to guide the Bangladesh booters.
Asked to comment on the present standard of the local booters in comparison to the neighbouring countries, he replied: "It's very difficult to say. Physically they are not bad, but mentally they have to work harder. They have to come up by working harder."
Nayeem, who is currently working with the B League club Brothers Union, has already begun his work for the BFF in helping to select the 25-member preliminary squad for the ensuing Nehru Cup to be held in New Delhi from August 16-29.
The national squad for the six-team Nehru Cup was also announced today at the BFF Bhaban.
The initial squad includes five players who never played for the national side or even the Under-23 team. They are Mamun Khan (custodian), SM Razib and M Akramuzzaman Liton of Farashganj SC, Imtiaz Sultan Zitu (Chittagong Abahani) and GM Mamun (Khulna Abahani).
The selected players have been requested to report at the BFF Bhaban on Wednesday at 7:00 pm.
Newly-named National Team Management Committee (NTMC) Chairman Manjoor Hossain Malu said the team has been formed with youths keeping the SAFF Championship in mind.
BFF general secretary Anwarul Huq Helal, also a member of the NTMC, said the Federation earlier decided to form the initial squad with 37 players, but later trimmed it for lack of time.
The squad is not finalised for the SAFF Championship, he said, adding that few more players might be considered for the SAFF meet.
Helal informed that the BFF today (Monday) received an invitation to participate in the Merdeka Football Tournament in Malaysia, which is scheduled to begin on August 19.
He said the Merdeka tournament committee requested the BFF to send the national side, but it would not be possible as the national booters would be playing in the Nehru Cup at that time.
Preliminary squad: Biplob Bhattacharya, Ziaur Rahman Zia, Mamun Khan (goal-keepers); Rajani Kanta Barman, Kazi Nazrul Islam, Firoz Mahmud Hossain Titu, Wali Faisal, Ariful Islam, Zahirul Islam, Kazi Mofazzel Hossain Saikat, Mohammad Shoaib Hossain Sony, Atiqur Rahman Mishu and SM Razib (defenders); Arman Aziz, Mehdi Hasan Uzzal, Mohammad Abul Hossain, Mohammad Zahid Hossain, Enamul Huq Sharif, Mamunul Islam Mamun, Akramuzzaman Liton and Imtiaz Sultan Zitu (midfielders); Zahid Hossain Emily, Mohammad Robin, Mohammad Rony and GM Mamun (forwards).