POPULARITY PREVAILS: President-elect Kazi Salahuddin (2nd from L) is surrounded by the other winners in the elections of the Bangladesh Football Federation at the BFF Bhaban late last night.Photo: Anisur Rahman

He was the king of the country's football. He has returned to his loved domain as the king again, scoring perhaps the most memorable goal for even a legendary striker like him in a different ball game though.
Having served the country as a footballer, Kazi Salahuddin was elected president of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) last night after the most exciting voting battle Bangladesh's sports have ever experienced.
Salahuddin, arguably the best footballer the country has ever produced and also the only man to have played in a professional league from the country, defeated his rival Maj Gen (retd) Amin Ahmed Chowdhury by 62-49 votes in the BFF elections to become the head of an executive committee that can be best described as "peoples' choice".
Salahuddin was not only out of words but also spoke with a broken voice.
"This is the happiest day in my life because my 30 years' dream has come true. I want to serve the federation in the best possible way. We will not disappoint you," said the former national captain who also congratulated his opposition and thanked the councillors.
"My first task is to bring football back to the ground. Wait and see for what happens. I have men like Badal and Salam and an excellent team with me. I don't want to dwell in the past and it is time to look forward."
When asked where does he want to see football four years later, he said: "There is no limit."
Amin Ahmed, wishing the new president good luck, termed the election as impartial and added that it was a wonderful experience for him.
Neither panel had a clear-cut domination but everyone seemed happy after the results that saw the exit of the 'bad' and 'ugly'.
Although Amin Ahmed's panel lost the battle for the top post, it virtually won the war by capturing the senior vice-president and three out of four vice-president posts.
Salahuddin's men won eight out of 15 members.
The most significant aspect of the daylong event closely followed by the AFC delegation inside the BFF Bhaban and hundreds of football fans outside was that eight out of nine ex-footballers contested in the polls won convincingly.
The only casualty was former winger Ashrafudin Ahmed Chunnu who contested for a vice-president post.
Other prominent losers were senior vice-president candidate Monir Ahmed, who got 37 votes to Salam Mureshedi's 74, vice-president candidates Abdur Rahim, Golam Rasool Mollah and Nurul Alam Chowdhury.
Apart from Salahuddin, the footballers to make their mark were Salam Murshedi (senior vice-president), Badal Roy (vice-president), Sheikh Mohammed Aslam, Hasanuzzaman Khan Babloo, Golam Rabbani Helal, Khurshid Babul and Satyajit Das Rupu (members).
A former national striker and goal-machine Aslam won highest 79 votes.
The youngest to be elected as vice-president was Kazi Nabil Ahmed.
The result also proved that although the candidates had divided loyalties, the councillors were united in their endeavour to vote for the fittest candidates no matter in which panel they belonged.
That is the reason why seasoned organisers like Harunur Rashid, Sirajul Islam Bachchu, Anwarul Haque Helal, Fazlur Rahman Babul, Shawkat Ali Jahangir and Manzoor Hossain Malu came out with flying colours.
The triumph of a 'mixed-panel' also meant a defeat for the 'black shadow' of Forum as the lesser-known organisers failed to win by banking on just stock votes.
The voting began at 2pm and since then, it had been anxious nine hours for candidates, councillors and football lovers till Chief Election Commissioner Mesbah Uddin announced the official results in a crowded press conference.
AFC vice-president and FIFA development officer Monilal Fernando, who was present as observer, said it was a good contest.
"I thank the Election Commission for a wonderful job and the councillors for having this election in a sporting manner," commented Monilal.
Outgoing president SA Sultan mentioned the election as a historical event.
"It is the first fair, neutral and democratic election in our football history. The winners are worthy and I appeal to them to take the game to the highest standard and make our dream a success."
In the end, month-long rumours of influence from the upper level and other foul plays proved to be just gossips as possibly the best workable committee has been formed.
It would be a test for Salahuddin and Co now to salvage the sinking ship and manoeuvre it at full throttle towards its desired course.
THE WINNERS
President
Kazi Salahuddin (62 votes)
Sr. Vice-President
Abdus Salam Murshedi (74)
Vice-Presidents
Manzoor Hossain Malu (67)
Shawkat Ali Khan Jahangir (62)
Badal Roy (62)
Kazi Nabil Ahmed (58)
Members
Sheikh Mohammad Aslam (79)
Harunur Rashid (72)
Amirul Islam Babu (72)
Anwarul Haque Helal (71)
Khurshed Babul (68)
Golam Rabbani Helal (65)
Sattyajit Das Rupu (64)
Sirajul Islam Bachchu (63)
Azfaruzzaman Sohrab (61)
Hasanuzzaman Bablu (60)
Fazlur Rahman Babul (59)
Shamsul Haque Chowdhury (59)
Mahbubur Rahman Shaheen (58)
Shafiquzzaman (57)
Mokbul Hossain (56)