The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) President SA Sultan Sunday apologised to the pressmen for his earlier comment that "media cannot be controlled without deal."

"When people get older, they unwittingly make some mistakes. I feel I have made the same mistake. I have understood my mistake and seek pardon from you (media)," he said at a press conference at the National Sports Council (NSC) conference room.

Earlier, on November 17 last year, Sultan wrote a letter to NSC chairman Gen Moeen U Ahemd mentioning that "media cannot be controlled without deal," following a dispute between him and former sports adviser Tapan Chowdhury.

The BFF boss kept himself aloof from football since December 27 last year and gave the charge to senior vice president Monir Ahmed, citing his inability to carry out the responsibility on personal ground.

"I again want to take charge to carry on with my responsibility until the BFF election on April 30," Sultan told the press.

Admitting failure for the development of football during his tenure, he said they did not get enough sponsors and proper government cooperation for the development of football.

Replying to a question, the BFF president said it would not be possible to develop country's football without government patronage.

Asked if he would contest in the upcoming BFF election, Sultan said: "I have no such plan right now… I want to give more time to my family."