Bangladesh Football Federation president Kazi Salahuddin will have to face some contest from at least one presidential candidate who remained firm in his decision to compete in the upcoming election.
Former BFF vice-president Abdur Rahim and Kazi Salahuddin remained in the fray after two other aspirants to the presidency Zakaria Pintu and Mozammel Haque Chanchal withdrew their candidatures on Sunday, the last date of withdrawal.
Zakaria Pintu, who was captain of the Swadhin Bangla Football team, said he withdrew his cadidature after he and his family received death threats.
‘I and my son got several death threats in the last three days over phone. I and my wife are heart patients. We cannot take such pressure at this age,’ said Pintu.
‘You know about the recent political situation in the country. Society’s prominent people are being abducted. I am afraid to take any risk in this situation. So I decided to step aside,’ Pintu told New Age over phone after his brother Mohammad Moyeenuddin submitted the application for withdrawal of nomination to the chief election commissioner Mesbahuddin.
Mozammel Haque Chanchal, a sports journalist, on the other hand, quit from the race as he wants to concentrate on his own job rather than being an organiser.
‘I am a journalist and my duty is to write reports. I initially decided to compete as I thought the country’s football needs some devoted organisers but now I felt that I should better serve the game through my writing,’ Chanchal said.
Meanwhile, no candidates withdrew their nomination papers from the post of senior vice-president and vice-president posts. Six candidates withdrew from member posts.
The election commission extended the date of withdrawal for a day only for the candidates from outside the capital.  The election is scheduled to be held on April 30.