The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sports Reporter

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has appointed Md Abu Yousuf coach of Bangladesh National Football team. This is for the first time Yousuf has been appointed fullfledged coach of Bangladesh National Football team.

Earlier, Yousuf was appointed the coach of Bangladesh team temporary basis and the team made a 1-1 draw with Qatar Under 23 team and settled for a goalless draw with Qatar National team in the year of 1998.

Besides, coach Abu Yousuf trained Dhaka Mohammedan Sporting Club, Dhaka Abahani Limited, Chittagong Abahani Limited, Victoria Sporting Club, BRTC Football team, Sheikh Russel KC and Muktijoddha Sangsad KC.

The former star footballer played for Mohammedan Sporting Club, Abahani Limited, Rahmatganj MFS and Victoria Sporting Club, Fire Service team. He gave service for a long time for Bangladesh National Football team.

Abu Yousuf played for Bangladesh National team from 1975 to 1986. He secured B Licence in football coaching.

To mark the appointment of Bangladesh National Football team, a press conference was held at the conference room of BFF House on Wednesday. President of Bangladesh Football Federation SA Sultan, Acting General Secretary of BFF Manjoor Hossain Malu and coach Abu Yousuf were present at the conference in front of a good number of sports journalists.

Abu Yousuf will be the coach of Bangladesh National team upto June 2008. If Yousuf bring a satisfactory result then, his tenure will be increased.

Bangladesh will take part in the AFC Challenge Cup in May and then, Bangladesh will participate in SAFF Championship scheduled to be held on June 3 to June 14 in Maldives and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh, Afghanistan and hosts Sri Lanka have been placed in Group B.

The semifinals will be held on June 11 while the final will be taken place on June 14.

Abu Yousuf will get Tk 55 thousand per month.

Yousuf said "I am hopeful that Bangladesh will bring a good result from the ensuring football meets. Yousuf assured that he would try to present a new national football team.

SA Sultan said the national team would be formed under the supervision of new coach.

Sultan added that the national team would take part in the practice session in Cox's Bazar to enhance the stamina of the players.

After the press conference an agreement was signed between Abu Yousuf and BFF yesterday.