BFF president SA Sultan addressing a press briefing at the BFF Bhaban yesterday in connection with Nokia's announcement to sponsor the national football team. Prem Chand (C), managing director of Nokia Emerging Asia, is also seen.Photo: STAR

World's leading cellular phone makers Nokia yesterday officially announced their association with the Bangladesh national football team.
It agreed to the offers of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) to support the national team for the two coming international tournaments, the AFC Challenge Cup and the SAFF Championship.
Although the two parties claimed that an agreement has been signed, it would need confirmation of the higher authority, which is expected to be finalised within a week. However, the Nokia and BFF officials were reluctant to disclose any financial details.
It has been reported that the Finnish mobile giants will spend about Tk 14 lakh behind the top footballers of the country in the initial stage.
"We are happy to have Nokia with us. But we won't give you the financial details for the sake of football," said BFF president SA Sultan at a press conference at the BFF Bhaban yesterday.
The future relationship between Nokia and the BFF, however, will depend on how good mileage it gets from its involvement with football in Bangladesh. If things go the right way, Nokia will get involved in development programmes into the grassroots, especially at school level.
"The world loves football and the Bangladeshis are no exception. And we at Nokia take pride in having our logo and name being carried by the team while they represent not only the country but the love of game," said Prem Chand, managing director of Nokia Emerging Asia.
He said that the organisation would consider the 'suck and taste' method in this regard, meaning that it will stick to Bangladesh football if benefited from the involvement.
"I have seen young boys play football in the villages and also the craze during the World Cup football. Nokia wants to utilise this passion for football," Prem Chand added.
BFF vice presidents Abdur Rahim and Sirajul Islam Bachchu, acting general secretary Manzoor Hossain Malu and Nokia's marketing manager Nowfel Anower were also present.
The national team will get financial support and use the Nokia logo on their gear although they would not be allowed to show the sponsor's name on their jersey during matches.
Bangladesh will take part in the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers from May 5-10 in Kyrgyzstan where they face Laos, Afghanistan and the hosts. Only one team from a group will reach the finals, which is expected to be hosted by India, one of the four automatic qualifiers.
In the 5th SAFF Football Championship, 2003 winners and 2005 runners-ups Bangladesh are pitted against hosts Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bhutan in the group stages to be played in Colombo.
The SAFF Championship will be hosted jointly by Sri Lanka and Maldives from June 3-14.