BFF granted 15.20 acres of land to construct FIFA-certified technical centre in Cox’s Bazar

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has been allocated 15.20 acres of land to construct a FIFA-certified technical centre funded by FIFA in Rashidnagar area of Ramu upazila under Cox’s Bazar.

The land was formally handed over today (7 September) at a ceremony held in Cox’s Bazar. Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md A Mannan handed over the land and relevant documents to BFF President Tabith Awal.

After the handing over ceremony, BFF chairman Tabith Awal said, “The establishment of an international-standard football technical centre in Ramu will open a new chapter in the development of football in Bangladesh. It will create opportunities to conduct training programmes to international standards alongside national-level activities.”  

Talented footballers from different parts of the country would have access to modern and structured training facilities there, he added.

According to sources, the BFF first took the initiative to build a technical centre in Cox’s Bazar around four years ago, during the tenure of former BFF president Kazi Salahuddin. At the time, 20 acres of land were allocated in Khuniyapalong area of Ramu. However, environmental organisations objected to construction at the site because it was part of a reserved forest, leaving the project stalled for a prolonged period.

In September 2024, the interim government cancelled the previous allocation and instructed the authorities to identify an alternative site, creating further uncertainty over the project’s future.

The issue has now been resolved with the selection of the new site.

BFF Vice-President Wahid Uddin Chowdhury told the media that the government had allocated the land at a symbolic price as a special consideration for the technical centre. The BFF has already paid the nominal fee of Tk100001.

“Following the handover of the land, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) will begin work on plans for the construction and implementation of the technical centre,” he added.

According to the plan, the modern facility will feature three international-standard football fields, two four-storey dormitory buildings for players and coaches, a gymnasium, swimming pool, medical and rehabilitation facilities, a canteen and conference rooms, along with other essential infrastructure.

Cox’s Bazar superintendent of police, senior BFF officials and other relevant stakeholders attended the land handover ceremony.