Infantino promises more FIFA support for Bangladesh

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has promised further support for Bangladesh’s proposed technical centre project and backed the country’s efforts to develop football, following a brief stopover in Dhaka on Tuesday.
Infantino spent around 90 minutes at the airport while travelling from Bhutan to Tokyo, where he is scheduled to attend a special meeting of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) vice-presidents Sabbir Ahmed Aref and Fahad Karim met the FIFA chief at the airport, as BFF president Tabith Awal was already in Tokyo.
“Getting his company twice within 72 hours is a huge deal. When the FIFA president is in any country, the football capital of the world becomes that country. For this short time, Dhaka was that capital, which is a great pride for us,” Karim said.
BFF officials welcomed Infantino with flowers and presented him with Bangladesh’s new home jersey bearing his favourite number, nine. Three members of his entourage also received national team jerseys.
Beyond the cordial exchanges, discussions focused on the development of football in Bangladesh and South Asia. Infantino praised the BFF’s domestic league and infrastructure initiatives and suggested introducing regional club competitions in South Asia.
“He discussed a club tournament with the president of the Bhutan Football Federation, and I am sure he will talk about it with others in Tokyo too,” Karim said.
The FIFA chief also pledged further assistance for Bangladesh’s planned technical centre, a key project aimed at strengthening the country’s football development infrastructure.
Karim said a proposal to increase FIFA grants for member associations would be discussed at a meeting in March, potentially bringing additional funding to Bangladesh.
“We have a big project to build our technical centre, and he promised more help even before going to Bhutan. If the proposal to increase grants for all countries is approved, Bangladesh will also receive a good amount,” Karim added.