Barkat Ullah Bulu enters Mohammedan presidential race

The race for the presidency of Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited gathered momentum on Wednesday as nomination paper distribution entered its second day, with 16 forms sold, one for the president’s post and 15 for director positions.

After a quiet opening day on Tuesday, when no forms were collected, Wednesday witnessed a significant development: Barkat Ullah Bulu, Vice Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, formally entered the race. Bulu collected the presidential nomination form through his personal assistant, instantly becoming the headline figure in an election that is already drawing widespread attention after a five-year hiatus.

His candidacy adds political prominence and renewed intrigue to the contest for leadership of one of the country’s most historic sporting club. Whether he will face a challenger or secure the presidency unopposed will only be clear once nomination distribution concludes.

In the race for the 16 director posts, several familiar names from the club’s administrative circles have stepped forward. Among them is former Director-in-Charge, Md Lokman Hossain Bhuiyan, a key figure in previous club management.

The other 14 individuals who collected nomination forms for director positions are former director Amirul Islam Babu, former director Sarwar Hossain, current director Masuduzzaman, former director Abdur Rob Mahbub, current director Abu Hasan Chowdhury Prince, Jamal Rana, permanent member Zahir Ahmed, Nasir Uddin Chowdhury, Mirza Yasir Abbas, Nilufar Chowdhury Moni, Sarkar Mahbub Ahmed, MA Salam, Khairul Kabir Khokon and Group Captain Mohammad Alamgir (retd).

Nomination papers will continue to be distributed on Thursday and Friday between 12pm and 4pm.

The much-anticipated election is scheduled for 9 March, when 371 eligible voters comprising donor and permanent members will elect a 17-member board, including 16 directors and one president.

Mohammedan’s last election was held in 2021. Under the club’s constitution, elections are due every two years. However, a legal dispute delayed the process by three years beyond the stipulated timeframe, making this upcoming vote one of the most closely watched in recent memory.

With Bulu’s entry into the presidential race and a competitive field shaping up for director posts, the stage is set for a pivotal chapter in the club’s governance.