Social distancing: BFF style
The Bangladesh Football Federation on Saturday ignored the government directives of maintaining social distance to hold a press conference that was dubbed as ‘unnecessary’ by journalists.
At the press conference, held at the BFF Bhaban, BFF senior vice-president Abdus Salam Murshedy briefed the media its decisions taken in an executive committee meeting held on Friday.
Interestingly, BFF held its executive committee meeting by digital means, where members were not required to be present physically and gave their opinion by email and phone.
The meeting had decided to postpone BFF’s forthcoming election, scheduled on April 20, and extend the deadline for submission of councillors’ name.
The BFF had informed its decision through a press statement on Friday.
A question rose why it became necessary to hold a press conference to inform something that had already been informed and that at time when the country was battling to prevent coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Murshedy, also a ruling party lawmaker, defended their decision to hold the press conference.
‘I think it’s is an important matter. Some media friend told us that, you postponed the election for an indefinite period, but many [journalists] of us do not know this,’ he said.
‘This is in response to your request and for the clarification. You, who are our media friends and now are not present here, they will know about this [postponement] through you.
‘I think the confusion over election postponement decision will be cleared now. I think, I made it clear now,’ he said.
Mustafa Mamun, a former president of Bangladesh Sports Press Association, expressed his surprise at BFF’s decision of holding a press conference at this period of crisis.
‘This kind of press conference was not just unnecessary but also objectionable,’ Mamun told New Age.
‘It shows the safety of journalists is not a matter of concern for them at all. It also proves how they view journalists. ‘They called their own meeting digitally, which means they are aware of distancing.
‘I think it was easier to communicate digitally with the journalists rather than holding an executive committee meeting because journalists are familiar with this. This press conference was very unfortunate. I am really surprised. It’s an irresponsible act,’ he said. (Source: New Age)
