BFF is hosting the Premier Football League match at Tongi Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master Stadium, disrupting archery practice. Martin Friedrich, the German coach of the Bangladesh archery team, was surprised by such a hasty decision of the country’s top football organization. In this situation, if the sports authorities of Bangladesh want, he wants to close the camp and go home. He said that no one should be hindered in the way of progress. After the practice of the national archery team at the Tongi ground on Wednesday afternoon, the protagonist of Prothom Alo spoke to Prothom Alo.
In recent times, under your leadership, Bangladesh Archery has achieved international success. The country’s top football league is being played in Tongi leaving that archery in trouble. How do you see it?
Martin Friedrich: I am very surprised about two things. First, BFF’s decision to play in Tongi came too late, when the Archery Federation had nothing more to do. Secondly, I am very surprised that we have not learned anything from last year’s situation (pointing to BFF). BFF also played Premier League matches here last year. There was still the same problem. It took a year to find a solution, to talk to each other. But that did not happen. It’s frustrating to me.
How did you feel after hearing BFF’s decision for the first time?
Frederick: Too bad. Because I didn’t think there would be a match here this year. At first I didn’t believe it. I thought it might be a joke. Anyway, at least I didn’t go down without explaining myself first. I saw that they gave a lot of matches of the first phase of the league here (32 out of 6 matches in Tongi). It hurts me a lot. Now, if the sports authorities of this country say that there will be no archery in Tongi Stadium, there will be football, then I will close the camp and send the children home and I will go back home.
Archery is now one of the most sought after sports in the country
Archery is now one of the most sought after sports in the countryPhoto: Prothom Alo
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What do you say, want to go home!
Frederick: Look, what good is a camp if it doesn’t go as planned? We have a lot of games ahead. This requires good preparation. If that preparation is not done, good results will not come by running the camp. Better a poor horse than no horse at all.
The Bangladesh Football Federation first selected seven venues for this year’s Premier League. There was also Tongi in it. But they only played in Munshiganj and Tongi showing the reason of Corona. What do you think, why did BFF do that?
Frederick: I don’t really know. I don’t understand why the same problem happens every year. I don’t know what BFF’s plan is, I don’t know what their decision making process is. However, they will not be able to solve the venue problem in a year, it is surprising. There are professional leagues in only two venues in this country, no other field could be found! I wonder about these things.
Frederick thinks that no one is doing well in football-archery due to the tension in the field
Frederick thinks that no one is doing well in football-archery due to the tension in the fieldPhoto: Prothom Alo
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The country’s top league game is being played in Tongi from February 3. What kind of problem is archery so far?
Frederick: The problem is. We can’t practice in the afternoon on the day of the football match. I am practicing in the morning till noon. I had to stumble a little on the plan. We can’t use the gym now. Because this room is being used as a football dressing room. Apart from that, many people come on the field on the day of football match. As a result, my players are at risk of covid. I can’t give 100% protection to the players.
Usually in Germany I see the field is regularly watered, rolled. The field is in constant care. But that is not the case here. The football federation cannot attend to the field during archery practice. Only when we finish the practice can they get into the ministry. This situation is not really good for anyone in football or archery.
Martin Friedrich, German coach of the archery team
Then there is a concern ….
Frederick: Yes, it is. Asia Cup in Thailand in March. National ranking competition in the country from March 3. It is important to protect the players before these competitions. I feel very bad for not being able to give that.
Martin Friedrich, the German coach of the archery team, thinks that the field of Shaheed Ahsanullah Master Stadium in Tongi is being used for archery practice.
Martin Friedrich, the German coach of the archery team, thinks that the field of Shaheed Ahsanullah Master Stadium in Tongi is being used for archery practice.Photo: Prothom Alo
How realistic do you think the condition and environment of Tongi field is to manage the matches of the top league of the country here?
Frederick: Look, I’m not a football expert, I’m an archery expert. So you ask the Football Federation the question. They can speak well. Because, they have chosen this field for the Premier League. But usually in Germany I see the field is regularly watered, rolled. The field is in constant care. But that is not the case here. The football federation cannot attend to the field during archery practice. Only when we finish the practice can they get into the ministry. This situation is not really good for anyone in football or archery.
Martin Friedrich with Roman and Dia
Martin Friedrich with Roman and DiaFile picture
Do you see that football match being played here?
Frederick: I actually have less time to watch football matches. But one day I saw a little bit. From what I saw, it is very difficult to play football in this field. The field is small. The ball goes out. As the field is on the busiest road, the sound of the car is heard. Players can be distracted.
Now what is the solution?
Frederick: President of the Archery Federation talking to BFF. BFF says they will not play here after February 18. The state minister for sports has also said that normalcy will return to archery in Tongi by the end of February. We assume, from the end of February, there will be no more football here. We will be able to continue the practice as planned. In fact, we should see to it that no one’s progress is hindered. So we should talk in advance. That is the solution and we have to find a professional solution.