Arbitrary actions by UNO, football tournament halted in Hatia

The national Gold Cup football tournament 2024, commemorating the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was halted in the island upazila of Hatia, Noakhali, due to mismanagement and alleged arbitrary actions by the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO).

Despite all preparations for the scheduled inauguration of the tournament at the island’s government college field on Saturday (July 13), the absence of many involved parties led to the cancellation of the opening ceremony.

On-site observations revealed that officials from the UNO's office were waiting on the designated stage for a long time, along with several referees in a box prepared for them. However, neither of the two teams scheduled for the opening match appeared on the field. The match was supposed to be between the Hatia Municipality Eleven and the Burirchar Union Eleven.

Regarding the absence, Hatia Municipality Mayor KM Obaid Ullah said, "Mismanagement has been evident since the beginning of this tournament. The sports association was supposed to oversee the event, but the UNO's office staff were handling everything, which didn't seem appropriate to me. Additionally, the UNO's office repeatedly called for money to conduct the game, despite the fact that the tournament has official funding."

Fakhrul Islam, Chairman of Burirchar Union Parishad, who was supposed to field a team in the opening match, stated, "The expenses for conducting the game were supposed to be discussed in the Upazila coordination meeting. However, without consulting the chairmen, the UNO's office repeatedly called for money even before the game started. We have to spend for our respective union teams and also pay the UNO's office, which is extremely inhumane. Hence, I decided not to participate."

This upazila-based tournament was expected to feature 11 teams from each union and one from the municipality, totaling 12 teams. For the opening match, a grand stage was set up at the island’s government college field, with separate arrangements for referees, players, and guests. The stage was decorated colorfully, and a large sound system was set up for commentary on the northern side of the field. However, all preparations were in vain as the players from both teams did not show up.

Ayub Ullah, General Secretary of Hatia Sports Association and member secretary of the tournament organizing committee, stated, "There was a need for transparency in a tournament named after the Father of the Nation. As the member secretary of the tournament organizing committee, I was not involved in the expenditure for conducting the game. Furthermore, the chairmen were not consulted about the money being collected from them. This showcases the UNO's arbitrary actions. As a result, I also expressed my intention to not be involved in this tournament."

Meanwhile, UNO Subhashish Chakma left Hatia on July 12 for training in India. Assistant Commissioner (Land) Milton Chakma is currently acting as the UNO. When approached at the UNO’s office in the morning to discuss the game's cancellation, it was found that Milton Chakma was waiting to attend the inauguration ceremony.

Milton Chakma commented, "I am quite embarrassed by the game's cancellation. I joined three days ago and still do not understand many things. We contacted the UNO via WhatsApp regarding the cancellation, but he has not given any instructions yet. I am unaware of the money being collected from the chairmen."

Nazrul Islam Shahin, an accountant clerk from the UNO's office present at the scene, confirmed, "It is true that the chairmen were asked for money to conduct the game under the UNO's instructions. However, there is no objection if someone does not want to pay."