There was no short of excitement and angst in yesterday's Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) elections held at its headquarters.
Supporters of both Kazi Salahuddin and Maj Gen (retd) Amin Ahmed Chowdhury's panels were seen cheering as soon as any candidate waved from the BFF office windows after they cast their votes during the elections for the 21 posts that began at 2 o'clock in the afternoon.
Although there was no clear favourite between the panels led by legendary footballer Kazi Salahuddin and Amin Ahmed, word was out that popular former footballers and experienced organisers were leading, which eventually proved true.
The scenes were unprecedented, as hundreds gathered outside in the lawn of the BFF Bhaban after the offices of the game's custodians in the country were made off-limits to everyone barring the candidates and councillors. Outside, officials from other federations, current national players, several former national players and the entire media contingent were waiting with baited breath in the searing April heat. But all the talk around the BFF headquarters was of the elections taking place inside the glass doors.
This was the fifth election in the federation's history after the polls of 1974, 1997, 2001 and 2003 but none of the previous ones had such enthusiasm towards it. One senior official was compelled to claim it as the "much desired contest".
"The environment inside is quite friendly and it is a real contest," said a councilor. "The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) delegates are keeping a keen eye over the workings of the elections as well," said the official, who preferred anonymity.
Another, however, complained that he felt like imprisoned inside the "confines of the office" and also said that the fact that the executive committee members could not vote made it even worse.
There have also been rumours of money being exchanged before the polls. There was also unconfirmed reports of influence from high-ups over the councillors of which way they would vote.
Earlier at 11am, the BFF's annual general meeting was held with the general secretary's report being agreed upon without much discussion.
However, the audit report had no signatures of the president or the general secretary but still it was approved. The budget for the next fiscal year was rejected as the members felt that the new committee should decide on the budget and also, there was no mention of the much talked-about DFAs in the BFF financial statement. Interestingly, there was no treasurer's report since the treasurer was not present at the AGM.
But the events that occurred after the AGM ended at 1pm will be remembered in the footballing circle for a long time.