BFF, BSRM join hands for football development

BSRM, a leading steel manufacturer, has become the development partner of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) for the next 10 years, with both organisations pledging to work towards meaningful and lasting development aimed at strengthening the foundations of Bangladeshi football and securing its long-term future.

BFF president Tabith Awal and BSRM managing director Aameir Alihussain signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations at the BFF headquarters on Wednesday. BFF vice-president Fahad Karim, BSRM finance director Zohair Taherali, BSRM director Qadir Zohair, and FCB Bitopi managing director Sarah Ali were also present at the signing ceremony.

Although the BFF did not disclose the amount of sponsorship money it will receive from BSRM, the partnership marks a major breakthrough for the country's football governing body, enabling it to secure support for kits, football gear, women's football, league operations, and other development areas.

"We are sharing very good news with you that we are going to sign with BSRM as our development partner, which is the first of its kind for us, as we have never had such a partner before," said BFF president Tabith Awal.

"BSRM has three core values—strength, safety, and sustainability. We believe the BFF shares these values. Through this partnership, we want to strengthen professional football in Bangladesh, promote safety awareness, and achieve sustainability for our players and for the development of the sport," Awal added.

BSRM MD Aameir Alihussain said, "As a company and a brand, we want to support football as a development partner because Bangladesh football has been improving. We also want football to become decentralised so that talented players can emerge from all regions."

BFF vice-president Fahad Karim said they had presented details of their work across the men's, women's, and youth teams, and that BSRM agreed to become a development partner with the intention to contribute to the men's and women's leagues, technical areas, and several other sectors.

He added that both parties will jointly determine the specific areas of contribution, although primary discussions have already covered league development, youth development, grassroots programmes, and technical staff development.