Bangladesh Cricket Board President Faruk Ahmed was the nominated director of the National Sports Council. The National Sports Council withdrew Faruk Ahmed’s nomination in an office order on Thursday (May 29) night. As a result, he is no longer a director of BCB. Whether he can remain the president if there is no director of BCB is a question, as well as whether he was a nominated director but was elected as the president. Moreover, the question has also arisen whether the validity of the elected president is still there even if the director nomination is withdrawn.
National Sports Council Secretary Md. Aminul Islam NDC said, ‘In the wake of the letter of no-confidence against Faruk Ahmed by eight directors, the National Sports Council has withdrawn the nomination of Faruk Ahmed as a director in the interest of keeping the activities of the BCB normal. Other matters related to Faruk Ahmed depend on the BCB. The BCB directors will take action as per the BCB constitution.’
The National Sports Council has the authority to nominate and withdraw directors in the BCB. According to the rules, the National Sports Council has done that. The National Sports Council cannot directly intervene in the BCB in matters related to the president and vice-president as per the BCB constitution. However, according to the National Sports Council Act 2018, the National Sports Council has the final authority to make any changes in any federation. The National Sports Council has not taken any steps outside the constitution in the two top federations due to the ICC and FIFA bans in the recent past.
There are clear rules in the constitution regarding the BCB president, he must be a director. There is no clear instruction in the constitution regarding the removal process of the president if he does not resign after being elected as a director. Again, there is no clear indication that the president cannot remain in the post of director. In Chapter 8 of the 2024 constitution, the responsibility of interpreting the constitution has been given to the board of directors. Although the matter has been left to the BCB directors, the National Sports Council Secretary assured that he will provide assistance if necessary in the emerging crisis, ‘If the BCB seeks any assistance or advice from the National Sports Council or the government in the interest of cricket in the country, in line with the ICC guidelines, the National Sports Council will definitely play an effective role.’
Even though the National Sports Council has nominated Aminul Islam Bulbul as a councilor, according to Article 12.7 of the BCB constitution, its formal recognition or validity will come if it is accepted by the BCB board of directors. The National Sports Council secretary commented on this, ‘According to the constitution, this is how it is.’ The board of directors’ meetings are originally called by the president. Now, as there are questions about the president’s legitimacy and acceptability, calling a meeting is a crisis. In this case, the BCB’s reference is the meeting held at the Sports Ministry in August 2024. The meeting was also held during the tenure of Nazmul Hasan Papon.
The total number of directors of the BCB is 25. With the withdrawal of Faruk Ahmed’s directorship, that number is now only 9. One-third of the presence is required for a quorum in the board of directors’ meetings. However, that number of directors still exists.
