BFF Clinches Bronze at AFC Awards For Grassroots Development
In a celebrated moment for Bangladeshi football, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has been honored with the AFC President’s Recognition Award (Bronze) for excellence in grassroots football. This recognition, announced during the AFC Awards 2025, acknowledges BFF’s efforts to develop the sport at the base level across the country.
Receiving the award on behalf of BFF was Imran Hossain Tushar, the federation’s General Secretary, who accepted the accolade with pride and gratitude. The award places BFF among Asia’s member associations recognized for their commitment to football development beyond the professional tiers.
This honor arrives at a time of reform and ambition for the federation, which has recently installed a new president, initiated new policies, and opened doors to include expatriate (expat) football talents to strengthen the national team.
The New Era: President Tabith Awal’s Leadership
At the heart of BFF’s rejuvenation is Tabith Mohammed Awal, who was elected president on 26 October 2024, succeeding the long-serving Kazi Salahuddin. Tabith Awal is a business leader and activist, educated in the U.S. (George Washington University), with business acumen and a vision to modernize Bangladesh football.
Even before taking office, Tabith had positioned himself as a reform-minded candidate. He appealed to the football fraternity by promising transparency, ethics, and institutional restructuring, including revising BFF’s constitution and rooting out corruption. His platform focused on boosting grassroots participation, improving coaching, and re-engaging the diaspora football community.
Since his election, Tabith Awal has actively invoked the inclusion of expatriate players (players of Bangladeshi origin abroad) as a key strategic direction. He has publicly supported the idea that foreign-based talents can uplift the national team’s standard, and has emphasized that these players should be welcomed — provided regulatory and eligibility norms are met.
In an interview published earlier this year, Tabith said that the debut of Premier League star Hamza Choudhury for Bangladesh would help inspire future expatriate players to represent the country. He also noted that BFF would help identify and provide details to eligible diaspora players so that the national team’s pool can expand and diversify.
Under his leadership, BFF has begun aligning its strategy with continental standards, aiming to leverage the recent AFC recognition as a springboard. The Bronze award in grassroots football validates some of his early efforts to reinforce youth leagues, coaching education, and community-level competitions.
What the AFC Bronze Means for BFF
Winning the AFC President’s Recognition Award (Bronze) is more than just a trophy — it carries symbolic and practical weight for BFF.
First, it signals continental acknowledgment of Bangladesh’s progress in nurturing football at local levels. Grassroots programs, school leagues, talent hunts, and community outreach appear to have impressed the Asian governing body.
Second, the award bolsters BFF’s credibility when negotiating with government, sponsors, and international donors. Being recognized by AFC helps underscore that investments in youth and infrastructure are earning results.
Third, on the motivational front, the award offers morale to coaches, clubs, and volunteers across Bangladesh. Their often unsung work in remote areas gets spotlighted, encouraging further effort and participation.
Finally, it sets a benchmark for BFF’s future goals — to graduate from Bronze in grassroots to greater honors in developmental and performance categories. The federation now must sustain momentum, scale programs, and deliver on promises under Tabith’s presidency.
Expatriate Players: The Rising Trend in Bangladesh Football
One of the most talked-about shifts under BFF’s current regime is the deliberate move to include expatriate (expat) players in the national team pipeline. The idea is not new — Bangladesh has seen a few foreign-born or foreign-based players in past years — but now it is being pursued more strategically.
The most high-profile case is Hamza Choudhury, who was cleared by FIFA in December 2024 to represent Bangladesh. His inclusion was seen as a landmark decision, and he became a role model for many overseas-born Bangladeshi-origin players. Hamza’s debut, especially being a current Premier League player, brought international attention and raised expectations. BFF President Tabith Awal publicly said that Hamza would inspire a generation of footballers and that more expats should be encouraged to consider Bangladesh.
Following Hamza’s inclusion, reports surfaced that over 30 male and multiple female expatriate players expressed interest in representing Bangladesh. These players hail from various countries including England, USA, Canada, Sweden, Italy, Spain, and more. The federation reportedly plans trials, eligibility checks, and structured integration.
Tabith has stressed that inclusion must follow rules and standards — FIFA eligibility, national registration, and performance trials — but that BFF is open and actively scouting for talent overseas. The aim is to enhance the national squad’s quality, especially in areas where local development is far behind global competition.
The inclusion of expatriate talent does not aim to displace local players but to complement them. The ideal is for a hybrid national team: core local players with support and reinforcement from high-level expatriate professionals.
Assessing Tabith Awal’s Early Successes & Challenges
Within a short span as BFF president, Tabith Awal has achieved notable successes and faced considerable challenges:
Early Successes:
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Strategic Vision & Messaging – He has articulated a clear direction: elevating grassroots football, embracing diaspora talent, and modernizing the federation’s governance.
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High-Profile Moves – The Hamza inclusion was a bold signal, one that earned both attention and debate. It showed a willingness to take risks.
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Continental Recognition – Winning the AFC Bronze award under his tenure is a tangible early achievement, reflecting positive reception at the Asian level.
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Institutional Reforms – Tabith has pledged constitutional overhaul, enhanced transparency, and better institutional processes — all of which resonate with reform-minded stakeholders.
Challenges Ahead:
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Sustaining Momentum – An award and a few headline decisions are helpful, but lasting success needs consistent funding, administrative strength, and structural support.
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Acceptance & Balance – Integrating expatriate players can trigger criticism about local talent being sidelined or biases in selection. BFF must manage perception, fairness, and meritocracy.
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Operational Capacity – Executing grassroots programs daily across a populous nation is resource-intensive. Staffing, coaching, monitoring, and logistics remain hurdles.
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Performance Expectations – A new president’s reputation will depend on results. For BFF, making strides in regional competitions, youth tournaments, and performance improvements is essential.
What This Means for Bangladesh Football
With BFF clinching the Bronze at AFC Awards 2025, the federation finds itself at a pivotal moment. The recognition provides momentum and legitimacy for the reforms Tabith Awal envisions. The push to include expatriate players could signal a new era of ambition — blending global experience with domestic passion.
For fans and players, these developments promise more opportunities, greater visibility, and renewed hope. Bangladesh football, long considered underdog territory, may be charting a more competitive course in Asia.
If BFF manages to follow through — converting recognition into development, policies into performance, and inclusion into unity — then the Bronze award may prove symbolic of growth to come. The real test, however, lies ahead: in competitive results, disciplined management, and trust earned across clubs, coaches, and communities.