NSC Unveils New Playbook for Shaping BCB's Boardroom

On Friday, August 23, the National Sports Council claimed to have nominated two new director representatives of the Bangladesh Cricket Board based on the Philosophy of Jurisprudence. Earlier, NSC proposed the names of Jalal Yunus and Sajjadul as BCB directors. The constitution permits the NSC to have five councillors on the board, with the power to appoint two of them as directors in the 25-member board of directors. 

Farque was elected as the BCB president in the last board meeting where both Jalal and Sajjadul were replaced by Nazum Abedin and Farque respectively. This led to confusion as Sajjadul decided not to step down from the post of BCB director following Jalal’s decision to do so to open the way for Nazmul Abedin. 

Sajjadul stated to the media that the way NSC stripped of him councillorship and BCB directorship is similar to direct interference in board matters. 

"I am extremely surprised and disappointed. What the NSC did is akin to direct interference in the board's functioning. It is wholly unacceptable. No one from NSC communicated directly with me. The BCB CEO forwarded a copy of an NSC notice on appointing a new councillor to me on WhatsApp. It was sent to me after the meeting [at the Ministry] at 7 PM," Sajjadul was quoted as saying by Daily Star on August 22.

Through a press release on Friday NSC cleared their stance regarding the nomination of Faruque and Nazmul in Jalal and Sajjadul’s place as the reasoning behind NSC’s request for the directors to resign is vague, raising possible concerns about the government interference in NSC issues. 

"In accordance with Article 9.3.2 of the Constitution of Bangladesh Cricket Board, Mr Mohammad Jalal Yunus resigned on August 19, 2024, among the 05 (five) representatives previously nominated by the National Sports Council in the Councilor category, and Mr Nazmul Abedin Fahim was appointed as the national representative for the 01 (one) vacant post Nominated by Sports Council," NSC said in a statement on Friday.

"On the other hand, Mr. Faruque Ahmed and Mr. Nazmul Abedin Fahim have been nominated by the National Sports Council in the director category according to Article 13.2 (kha) 4 of the constitution, which is being widely appreciated. Such nominations are made based on the Philosophy of Jurisprudence with the utmost careful application of prevailing rules. The government is committed to keeping the activities of all federations/associations, including the Bangladesh Cricket Board, smooth, efficient, active and uninterrupted. The cooperation of all quarters is sought in the progress of advancing the sports field of the country," NSC said in the statement," it added.

As per Article 13.2 (Kha) of the constitution NSC can nominate a BCB director from any of the three councillor categories. Both Faruque and Nazmul are category three councillors.