Bringing allegations of financial misappropriation, irregularities and autocracy against Bangladesh Squash Rackets Federation (BSRF) general secretary Jahangir Hamid Sohel, executive member Hedayetullah Turkee requested authorities concerned to launch an investigation against the GS and dissolve the federation’s ad-hoc committee, which was formed in May, 2015.

Turkee, also an assistant registrar of Jagannath University, brought 29 allegations against Hamid, with the major allegations being misappropriation of fund, keeping the federation office closed, travelling abroad at federation’s expenditure, using federation employee for personal purposes, not attending National Sport Council or sports ministry meetings, nepotism in selecting national squad, providing less money to athletes of SA Games camp, participating in foreign tournaments without BSRF president’s approval and government order, submitting budget for Mujib Year without any approval from the executive committee.

“We have an office at the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium, but it has been opened only once in last four years. An office employee named Gopal is being used for Sohel’s personal purposes, but taking remuneration from the federation regularly,” said Turkee at a press conference at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Turkee was accompanied by Bangladesh Squash Players’ Association president MA Gani, general secretary Bhola Lal Chouhan, squash player Jobayer Ahmed and coaches of different clubs.

“NSC allocated Tk 12 lakh for talent hunt programme in 2016 but the training was conducted in cantonment areas in Jashore, Cumilla, Rangpur, Ghatail for two or three days while in 2019, training was conducted in two cadet colleges. However, the expenditure was submitted for five cadet colleges with fake documents because there was no expenditure for accommodation, transport for the cadet students,” alleged Turkee. “Players took part in different international tournaments at their own expenditure but the GS toured four countries this year with federation’s money.”

MA Gani alleged, “As a player I have seen there is disorder in selecting players and it is very disappointing that new players are not coming up. There is no consistent programme to develop squash. An unelected person becomes autocrat if he holds a key post for 16 years.”

Hamid, son of prominent sports organiser MA Hamid and chess player Rani Hamid, however denied all allegations, terming those as hilarious, baseless and unacceptable. However, he welcomed any investigation against him.

“I don’t know why he brought such allegations against me. The issue of financial irregularities is not right because the 2019 programme is still ongoing and I haven’t yet submitted anything to the NSC. It is baseless that I am sending the squad without permission of the president,” said Sohel.

“It is true that there is a lack of manpower at the federation. Is it possible to hold a post if no one likes me? But I myself also want someone else to take charge of the federation,” said the former squash champion.    

It is mentionable that BSRF organises four to five tournaments each year and the sport won bronze medals in men’s team event in the last two editions of the South Asian Games.