Bangladesh football face coaching controversy ahead of Jordan trip

 
Bangladesh's Under-17 women's team leaves for Jordan today (Tuesday) for the AFC Under-17 Women's Asian Cup qualifying campaign, but the squad's departure has been overshadowed by a late coaching reshuffle that has raised eyebrows.

Golam Rabbani Choton, who had been preparing the side for quite a long time, has been removed as head coach and appointed assistant to Saiful Bari Titu, the Bangladesh Football Federation's technical director and an AFC Pro Licence holder.

The decision came under intense scrutiny at a press conference at the BFF headquarters on Monday, with BFF women's football chief Mahfuza Akter Kiran initially reluctant to elaborate on why Choton had been replaced. Under persistent questioning, she said the federation considered Titu the right man for the position because of his coaching credentials.

"The technical director is basically a Pro Licence coach. The federation felt he was suitable for this position at this moment, and that is why he has been given the responsibility," Kiran said.

The move comes against the backdrop of reported friction within the coaching set-up. According to sources, tensions developed between Titu and women's coach Mirona while Choton was in Malaysia with Rajshahi Stars. The BFF subsequently issued Mirona a show-cause notice and formed an inquiry committee.

Mirona, who had been associated with the team for a considerable period, has now been left out of the Jordan tour while the investigation remains pending.

The latest development leaves Bangladesh heading into a crucial assignment with questions off the pitch almost as prominent as those on it.